Choreography

Choreography (literally "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" (circular dance, see chorea) and "γραφή" (writing), also known as "dance composition"), is the art of making structures in which movement occurs. The term composition may also refer to the navigation or connection of these movement structures. The resulting movement structure may also be referred to as the choreography. People who create choreographies are called choreographers.

Origin

The term choreography first appeared in the American English dictionary in the 1950s. [cite episode
title = Frankie Manning: Lindy Hop Pioneer
url = http://kuow.org/defaultProgram.asp?ID=11649
series = Radio Intersection
credits = Presented by Amanda Wilde
network = KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio
station =
city = Seattle, WA
airdate = 2006-10-26
minutes = 12:31] Prior to this, movie credits normally stated "Ensembles Staged by", [cite video
people = Mark Sandrich (Director)
year = 1935
title = Top Hat
url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027125/
publisher = RKO Radio Pictures
accessdate = 2007-08-08
time = 00:01:15
medium = DVD
quote = Ensembles Staged by Hermes Pan] "Dances", [cite video
people = Norman Taurog (Director)
year = 1940
title = Broadway Melody of 1940
url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032284/
publisher = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
accessdate = 2007-08-08
time = 00:00:54
medium = DVD
quote = Dances Bobby Connolly] "Dance Director", [cite video
people = William A. Seiter (Director)
year = 1942
title = You Were Never Lovelier
url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035583/
publisher = Columbia Pictures
accessdate = 2007-08-08
time = 00:01:00
medium = DVD
quote = Dance Director Val Raset] "Dances Staged by", [cite video
people = Edward Cahn (Director)
year = 1942
title = Our Gang in "Melodies Old and New"
url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035055/
publisher = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
accessdate = 2007-08-07
time = 00:00:20
medium = DVD
quote = Dances Staged by Steven Granger and Gladys Rubens] "Musical Numbers Directed by", [cite video
people = Robert Z. Leonard (Director)
year = 1941
title = Ziegfeld Girl
url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034415/
publisher = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
accessdate = 2007-08-07
time = 00:00:56
medium = DVD
quote = Musical Numbers Directed by Busby Berkeley] or "Musical Numbers Staged and Directed by" [cite video
people = Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly (Directors)
year = 1952
title = Singing' in the Rain
url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045152/
publisher = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
accessdate = 2007-08-07
time = 00:00:55
medium = DVD
quote = Musical Numbers Staged and Directed by Gene Kelley and Stanley Donen] .Choreographers often improvise to find what works best musically.

ettings

Although used mainly for dance, choreography is also used in:

* Stage combat (action or fight choreography)
* Gymnastics
* Ice skating
* Cheerleading
* Show Choirs
* Marching bands
* Cinematography
* Synchronized swimming
* Synchronized skating

And many other activities involving human movement.

Language and notation

Choreographic techniques

One choreographic technique is improvisation.

Improvisation

* Dance improvisation
* Contact improvisation
* Body mapping

ee also

* Ballet
* Ballet master
* Contemporary dance
* Dance notation
* Improvisation
* List of choreographers
* Modern Dance
* Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers

References

Further reading

* Blom, L, A. and Tarin Chaplin, L. (1989) "The Intimate Act of Choreography". Dance Books. ISBN 0-8229-5342-0
* Ellfeldt, L. (1998) "A Primer for Choreographers" . Waveland Press. ISBN 0-88133-350-6
* Minton, S, C. (1997) "Choreography: A Basic Approach Using Improvisation". Human Kinetics . ISBN 0-88011-529-7
* Tufnell, M. and Vaughan, D. (1999) "Body Space Image : Notes Toward Improvisation and Performance". Princeton Book Co. ISBN 1-85273-041-2
* Smith-Autard, J, M. (2000) "Dance Composition". Routledge. ISBN 0-87830-118-6

External links

* [http://www.choreography.cc Choreography] a dance web site about choreography and the performing arts
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/blast/dance/advice/careers/how_to_become_a_choreographer.shtml BBC Blast] Find out how to become a choreographer with BBC Blast.
* [http://www.choreograph.net Choreograph.net] is an online forum about the emerging aesthetics of choreography
* [http://www.choreography.org.uk choreography Website]
* [http://cecilvortex.com/swath/2007/04/06/an_interview_with_natalie_marrone.html About-creativity.com] An interview with choreographer Natalie Marrone, 4/6/07
* [http://worldfordance.blogspot.com/search/label/Styles%20dance.%20Latin%20American%20Dance Latin American Dance blog]
* [http://www.mcdonaldselznick.com McDonald Selznick Associates]