CHOREOGRAPHER OR MOVEMENT SPECIALIST?

December 22, 2009

What is a choreographer? I have a hard time assigning that word to both George Balanchine, and someone who does moves for a Gap commercial. Just as there are labels being created within the dance world to define genres of (and the various styles within)...."concert dance", "theater dance", "commercial dance" (which I find insulting that the ballet and modern world seem to have shrunk to a combined non-populist form called "concert dance"). I think there should be labels for types of dance creativity:

• Choreographer for those creating substantive ballets that last 2o minutes or longer - where there is story, message, or musical interpretations (constructed or in a deconstructionist fashion).
• Theater Dance Choreographer for those creating in musical theater
• Dance Theater which refers to expressionism or works of European influence or Tanzthetater as I call it;
• Environmental Dance-maker for those who create with external elements;
• Dance Arranger for those who take steps from various individual dancers - especially from different dance genres and pastes them together be it in concert dance or commercial dance;
• Dance Routine Expert for those who create 1 - 2 minute dance routines for current reality TV dance shows; and,
• Movement Specialist for those who use dance steps for moments in commercials.

Why I would feel better if new labels were invented.....because anyone is a choreographer in the true sense of the word as long as the body does steps and those steps move in space. Movement is inherent in everyone. All cultures have their own indigenous dance forms (what is ours....Square Dancing?). And, when we get to professional dance - where people are paid to create in dance -- 1 or 2 minutes of dance movements on TV, does not require the same same talent, skill, dance history, dance education, dance talent or vision as creating a full-length ballet.