Any time you enjoy the graceful and seemingly effortless talents of dancers
in live performances or on shows like Dancing With the Stars, you can bet
that a lot of time, hard work and creative energy have been spent to make
it the art that it is. This is the job of choreographers.
Choreographers may create new dances, or they might make new interpretations
of classic dances. There are choreographers for every type of dance -- including
ballet, modern, jazz and flamenco.
The role of choreographer carries many responsibilities. According to choreographer
Deborah Lundmark, one of them is "to create work and to be able to teach it
to your dancers." They are also responsible for casting, music selection,
costume approval, lighting, props, and blocking on the stage.
Roxanne Claire, a choreographer working with the Houston, Texas, dance
community, says it takes a lot of organization to work on a dance project.
"As the choreographer, you're the manager of the whole thing."
Rob Johnson is the associate director of the Stage Directors and Choreographers
Foundation in New York. "Choreographers can work in several areas: dance,
opera, theater, television, film and music videos. Some choreographers work
in all areas, others do not."
Choreographers work in small community theaters and Broadway theaters.
Some are in new, comfortable studios, while others work in older, uncomfortable
environments.
"The practice over the last 10 years has been for the larger companies
to hire a resident choreographer," says choreographer Wayne Burritt. "It's
good for the choreographer because it gives them steady work. It's good for
the company because they don't have to bear the expense to commission the
work."
How do freelancers find jobs? "Most choreographers are hired for jobs through
networking contacts, recommendations and by folks who have worked with them
in the past," says Johnson.
In keeping with technology, some choreographers map out dances on computers
to get a feel for how the dance will look.
Choreographers put in long, challenging days and must be in excellent shape.
(Ankle problems are not uncommon in this profession.) Not only do they spend
their days creating dances, but they often teach or take dance classes as
well.