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Making Dance

The Choreographic Process

Ways of Working

Choreographers may work in a number of different contexts depending on their vision, dance form and resources. They may work:

  • Independently, hiring dancers on a project-to-project basis
  • At the centre of a choreographer-driven company, which exists to support their artistic vision
  • As the artistic director or choreographer-in-residence with a repertory company
  • As an invited guest working for different companies around the world

Choreographers working in contemporary forms usually develop movement through experimentation and innovation. The resulting work is a highly individual way of speaking through dance. Paul-André Fortier is one choreographer who creates in this way.

Choreographers working with classical or traditional techniques tend to start with the movement vocabulary of the form as their basic language. Then, depending on the specific vision for the work, they may choose to stay within this structure, or move beyond it.

In the process of extending the form and movement vocabulary, choreographers may incorporate personal movement expression to allow them to articulate their unique perspective. In the ballet world, Dominique Dumais' choreography one hundred words for snow (1999) is a beautiful example. In South Asian dance, Lata Pada's Revealed by Fire (2001) demonstrates the integration of classical and personal movement vocabularies.

 

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