The Art and Practice of Musical Theatre Choreography

A musical theatre choreographer is essential for creating movement that enhances and enlivens the musical. They need to have an in-depth understanding of storytelling, music theory, performance practices, and plot structure to create movement that enhances the production. This book provides choreographers with the tools needed to create nuanced, informed, and inspired movement for productions, and demystifies the process to make the previously undisclosed "tricks of the trade" accessible to all. It covers the entire process of choreographing a musical from the first script reading to the final curtain call, and sets out the theoretical principles of choreography alongside the practical application during every step of the production process.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Musical theatre choreography is a complex and multifaceted art form that goes beyond simply creating dance steps. It involves a deep understanding of storytelling, music theory, performance practices, and plot structure to create movement that enhances and enlivens the musical. In this book, the author aims to debunk the misunderstandings surrounding what musical theatre choreographers do and demonstrate their essential role in the production.

The author begins by exploring the need for a choreographer to have an in-depth understanding of these various aspects of musical theatre. They argue that choreographers must be able to create movement that not only complements the music but also enhances the storytelling and the overall plot of the production. This requires a deep understanding of the script, the score, and the characters and their motivations.

To equip the musical theatre choreographer with the necessary skills, the book provides structured activities that build specific skills such as notating the script and scoring the score. These skills are essential for creating nuanced, informed, and inspired movement that enhances the production. Traditionally, this training has been something of a series of secrets, passed from mentor to apprentice. The author aims to demystify the process and make the previously undisclosed "tricks of the trade" accessible to all choreographers, regardless of their level of experience.

The book covers the entire process of choreographing a musical from the first script reading to the final curtain call. It provides theoretical principles of choreography alongside practical application during every step of the production process. The author emphasizes 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.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in pursuing a career in musical theatre choreography. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the art form, equips the reader with the necessary skills, and demystifies the process of creating movement that enhances and enlivens the musical. Whether you are a seasoned choreographer or just starting out, this book will provide you with the tools you need to succeed in this exciting and challenging field.

Weight: 550g
Dimension: 244 x 169 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350193338