CHOREOGRAPHING A MUSICAL

Teaching is great, but let's face it sometimes it just doesn't pay enough. If you've ever had to earn just a little more to pay the bills or save for that rainy day then consider choreographing a musical for an amateur musical association or semi-professional production. This is a great way to earn a little extra money or get your name known in the community.

• Read the script
• Break the dances down into scenes and know what is happening in those scenes
• Does the dance further the storyline? If so, your choreography will need to reflect this.
• Know the music. What does the mood of the music tell you? What are the lyrics suggesting?
• Remember you may have to move large numbers of people around the stage.
• In an amateur production you will be working with many levels of dance ability - be patient!
• Make sure you find out what the set will look like before you start choreographing. Otherwise you may find yourself having to change choreography to accommodate the chorus who are now standing on stairs in this scene.
• Less can be more. Don't make your choreography too busy. This can be really tricky for those who are not used to singing and dancing at the same time.
• Have a good sense of humour. As opening night draws closer at an alarming speed tempers can fray. Smile and don't take anything personally.
• You may need to do research e.g. a period of time, a culture etc and reflect this in the choreography
• I find it helps to work out the structure of the song e.g. verse, chorus, middle eight, chorus etc
• Know the principal roles and keep in mind what they supposed to be doing during the musical number

Give it a go. It can be loads of fun and you'll make new friends.

Break a leg!

TDT