Todays Choreographers…Unripened Fruit?

Written By Safi A. Thomas
Courtesy of Recidivism Deferred (A Hip-Hop Dance Blog)

There are many dancers who become choreographers prematurely. They are in essence unripened fruit. Not very palatable and having a poor impact on the system which ingests it.

A complete dance education is requisite in order to delve into choreography. It is counterintuitive to pursue our choreographic dreams before learning & understanding dance fully. What you present on a stage will be compromised by your ineptitude and you devalue the art-form in the process. Being a good dancer does not make you a good choreographer. The skill-sets are different.

As a dancer you are focused on line, level, shape, texture, nuance and assimilation of groove. As a choreographer, your focus must be inclusive of the elements of choreographic composition, stagecraft, artistic direction, an understanding of music, knowing body mechanics, being able to convey your ideas to the dancers effectively, being the advocate for the dancers, being a role model and mentor, as well as instilling those skills into the dancers you work with.

Choreography is not about YOU performing; it is about the dancers getting an opportunity to show their adeptness at translating your theme, motif, emotive palette and movement quality. It is imperative for you as the choreographer to not be in your piece. Performing with your dancers shows a lack of respect for and confidence in your dancers and it impedes your ability to assess the piece thoroughly. One cannot assess their piece while in it. You need a wider perspective to gain clarity on all components of your show. By having an empirical understanding of your piece and what the dancers did, you know what corrections and tangible advice to give post show.

Wanting to be a choreographer is an admirable pursuit which should not be taken lightly. Having an in depth understanding of dance will allow you to eventually be an excellent choreographer. Honor the time it takes to build yourself into a choreographer. Take at least a decade to hone your skills and attain the appropriate pedagogy. Find places that provide dance education not just “Simon says” choreography classes. Learn about movement, music, history, cultural influences and groove. Use that knowledge to inform the type of choreographer you become. Respect yourself and the craft enough to learn as much as you can. Until then, be a dancer.

Focus on self betterment. Focus on gaining a complete education.Focus on gaining an understanding of the subtleties of dance and train under those who provide that education consistently. Train under those who have a working knowledge of music theory, dance theory, kinesthetics etc. Not just people who have “hot” choreography. Then one day you will have the wherewithal to be a great choreographer yourself.

Safi A. Thomas
Artistic Director
The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory

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