The Art and Practice of Musical Theatre Choreography

Description

What does a musical theatre choreographer actually do? They just ‘make up the steps’, right? This book firstly debunks the misunderstandings around what musical theatre choreographers actually do, demonstrating their need to have an in-depth understanding of storytelling, music theory, performance practices and plot structure in order to create movement that enhances and enlivens the musical. Secondly, it equips the musical theatre choreographer with all the tools needed to create nuanced, informed and inspired movement for productions, through structured activities that build specific skills (such as ‘notating the script’ and ‘scoring the score’). Traditionally, this training has been something of a series of secrets, passed from mentor to apprentice. The author demystifies the process to make the previously undisclosed “tricks of the trade” accessible to all choreographers, everywhere. Covering the entire process of choreographing a musical from the first script reading to the final curtain call, this book makea case for the absolute integrity of the choreographer to any musical theatre production and sets out the theoretical principles of choreography alongside the practical application during every step of the production process. Cover Halftitle page Title page Copyright page Dedication Contents Figures and Tables Preface Acknowledgments Introduction A Tradition Passed Down How to Utilize this Text Part 1 The Art 1 Where to Start The Musical Theatre Choreographer Choreographing in a New Era of Musical Theatre Process versus Product Accessibility 2 Research The World of the Piece Historical and Geographic Context Culture Visual Landscape Words, Words, Words Listening Style Movement Vocabulary The People of the Piece The History of the Piece Revivals: Making Something Old New Again Copyright and Licensing ACTIVITY VISUAL LOOKBOOK ACTIVITY MOVEMENT REEL 3 Storytelling Through Movement The Musical Structure Roles of Choreography in the Musical The Role of the Ensemble Script Analysis: Creating a Movement Arc ACTIVITY MOVEMENT ARC 4 Interpreting the Score The Basics Meter and Rhythm Notes Time Signatures Staves and Clefs Key Signatures Expressions, Articulations, and Dynamic Markings Other Important Markings Musical Passages and Transitions Music Through a Dance Lens What You Hear Versus What You See Musical Changes, Counting, and Cutting Physical Interpretations ACTIVITY DISCOVERING THE CUT ACTIVITY DRAWING THE MUSICAL PHRASES ACTIVITY SCORING THE SCORE 5 Musical Staging Earning the Song Song Structure Stage Moods Partners Movement While Singing Motion Crosses Gestures Stillness Stylization Physical Comedy The Mini Build Sample Staging Outline: Solo ACTIVITY NOTATING IN THE SCRIPT 6 Production Numbers Sectioning the Number How to Create a Build Types of Builds Groupings Eliciting Applause Buttons Nuts and Bolts Focus Direction and Level Repetition versus Variety Individual versus Unison Balance: Symmetrical versus Asymmetrical Formations Lines Curves Other Formations Multiple Formations Movement Patterns Diagrams ACTIVITY ANALYZING THE BUILD ACTIVITY BUILDING THE BUILD 7 Creating the Steps Process The Six Questions of Dance Intention Style Economy Creation Research Abstraction Physical Representation Dance Journaling Movement Prompts Efforts Objectives Zones and Centers Fundamentals Initiation and Force Shapes and Transitions Choreographing the Eyes Speed, musicality, and syncopation Contrast, Isolation, and Accent Suspensions, Freezes, and Sounds Dancers as Objects Crowd Movements Utilizing the Design Notation ACTIVITY STEPS NOTATION 8 Adapting to Various Spaces Types of Spaces Site Specific Theatre Benefits and Challenges Tricks of the Trade Formations Movement Patterns Creating Focus Musical Staging Storytelling ACTIVITY FROM PROSCENIUM TO THE ROUND Part 2 The Practice 9 Assembling Your Team Members of the Choreographic Team Dance Captain Assistant Choreographer Associate Choreographer Pre-production Auditions Audition Breakdown Dance Calls Audition Combination In the Room Making the Cut ACTIVITY THE DANCE AUDITION COMBINATION 10 Collaboration Design and Production Meetings Creative Discussions Design Meetings Break Out Meetings Production Meetings Designer Run Through Collaborating with the Director and Music Director The Director The Music Director The Dance Arranger Collaborating with the Design Team The Set Designer The Costume Designer The Lighting Designer The Sound Designer The Stage Manager The Director/Choreographer ACTIVITY INQUIRIES AND MUSINGS 11 Rehearsals Types of Rehearsals Staging Rehearsals Cleaning Rehearsals Run Throughs Spacing Onstage Sitzprobe and Wandelprobe Technical Rehearsals Previews Running Rehearsals: How to Lead Working with Performers Giving Notes ACTIVITY REHEARSAL TIMELINE 12 All the Other Things Transitions Contact and Intimacy Improvisation Child Performers Special Skills Curtain Call Photo Call Rehearsing Understudies and Swings ACTIVITY TRACKING TRANSITIONS 13 Nice Work If You Can Get It Finding Work Creating Your Own Work Displaying Your Work ACTIVITY CHOREOGRAPHY REEL Bibliography Index