How to Choreograph a Musical
- 1). Take note during the audition process of your cast’s skill levels. It is usually best to pick a group of core dancers to do the hardest dancing in your musical. Think of them as your chance to show a little extra pizazz in your show, especially if you are doing an amateur musical. Pick your best dancer to be the dance captain, so that she can run numbers with the dancers while you are busy working with the chorus or leads.
- 2). Be sure you have read the entire script and listened to the entire score before you begin choreography. You should have an understanding and feel for the musical’s setting, plot, musical emphasis and even costuming. Rent the movie version of the show if available for inspiration. You need to have a sense of what is going on, as choreography should be used to help tell the story. You need to get a feel for the music, its place during the show’s time period and perhaps even how people may have moved during that time.
- 3). Discuss the set with the director. You also need to have an understanding of the space you will have on stage for your dancers and other cast members. Perhaps you can place some of the chorus members up on a set piece, such as a bridge or stairwell, for one or more of the numbers. Remember that filling the stage as much as possible and giving the audience a lot to look at is preferable for big musical numbers.
- 4). Sit and listen carefully several times to the songs you are ready to choreograph. Know the music inside and out, and then get up and move your body to the music. Picture the scene and characters, and why they might be doing these moves as the dance pertains to the story. Certain steps should begin to emerge during this process. Write them down. If something comes to you that you love, but you think it might be too difficult for everyone, consider using soloists for a few measures of music, or giving the chorus background steps, while your featured dancers display more difficult choreography downstage.
- 5). Choreograph each number at your home or studio prior to coming in to rehearsal with the cast. There is nothing worse than wasting everybody’s time trying to come up with ideas on the spot. You may have to change something that doesn’t work, but at least you will be prepared and know where you want to go with each number.
- 6). Write steps in pencil directly in the musical score. This way you will be able to see exactly what steps happen for each phrase of music. If you write the choreography down separately from the music, it will be too easy to lose your place. Once a number is choreographed and written down, practice it over and over again, so that teaching it will be second nature to you.
- 7). Be sure to create a monthly schedule for yourself, and map out what numbers you are going to teach on what days. You should meet with the director and musical director, so that you can work out the rehearsal schedule. You don’t want to “double book” certain cast members. Remember, a musical is about acting, singing and dancing, and all three are integral parts of the show.
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