Choreography Course

Lesson 1 • Developing a Movement Vocabulary

Guides students in identifying and expanding their personal movement range. A broad vocabulary is the raw material for all subsequent compositional work.

Lesson 2 • The Elements of Movement

Introduces body, space, time, and energy as the core movement elements. Students apply these elements as analytical and generative lenses throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Observation and Kinesthetic Awareness

Trains students to watch movement analytically and sense it internally. These perceptual skills underpin informed choreographic decision-making.

Lesson 1 • Applying Form to Short Studies

Synthesizes form concepts through the creation and critique of brief movement studies. Students receive structured feedback to refine formal choices.

Lesson 2 • Non-Linear and Open Forms

Explores chance procedures, modular scores, and open-form structures. Students experiment with indeterminate and flexible compositional systems.

Lesson 3 • Classical Compositional Forms

Surveys ABA, rondo, theme-and-variations, and suite structures. Students map these forms onto movement studies to understand their expressive potential.

Lesson 4 • Motif and Development

Establishes the motif as the fundamental building block of choreographic form. Students create motifs and develop them through systematic variation techniques.

Lesson 1 • Dynamic Range and Contrast

Trains students to vary effort qualities to create texture and dramatic arc. Contrast in dynamics prevents monotony and sustains audience engagement.

Lesson 2 • Spatial Design and Stage Geography

Maps the performance space as a compositional resource with inherent meaning. Students design floor patterns and formations that communicate intent.

Lesson 3 • Timing, Rhythm, and Musicality

Examines how timing choices shape audience perception and emotional impact. Students practice moving with, against, and independently of musical rhythm.

Lesson 1 • Movement-Music Relationships

Explores synchrony, counterpoint, and independence as choreographic strategies. Students experiment with each relationship to understand its expressive effect.

Lesson 2 • Choreographing to Silence and Soundscape

Expands sonic options beyond conventional music to include silence and ambient sound. Students discover how non-musical sound shapes movement meaning.

Lesson 3 • Selecting and Editing Sound

Guides students through the practical process of choosing and preparing audio for performance. Ethical and rights considerations in sound selection are addressed.

Lesson 1 • Symbolism and Metaphor in Movement

Teaches students to embed symbolic and metaphorical layers into choreography. Layered meaning enriches audience experience and deepens artistic impact.

Lesson 2 • Developing a Personal Artistic Voice

Helps students identify recurring aesthetic preferences and movement signatures. A distinctive voice differentiates a choreographer's work in any context.

Lesson 3 • Audience Perception and Reception

Examines how audiences read movement and construct meaning from performance. Understanding reception helps choreographers calibrate clarity and ambiguity.

Lesson 1 • Formations and Group Pathways

Develops skill in designing formations that shift dynamically throughout a piece. Spatial variety in group work sustains visual interest and communicates meaning.

Lesson 2 • Unison, Canon, and Contrast

Introduces the primary tools for organizing multiple bodies in time and space. Students practice each device and analyze its visual and emotional effect.

Lesson 3 • Directing Rehearsals for Group Work

Builds practical skills for leading efficient and productive group rehearsals. Effective direction translates choreographic vision into polished ensemble performance.

Lesson 4 • Casting and Role Assignment

Addresses how to assign movement material to dancers based on skill and intent. Strategic casting amplifies choreographic ideas and respects performer strengths.

Lesson 1 • Structuring the Creative Process

Provides a practical timeline and workflow for moving from idea to finished work. Students learn to balance exploration with disciplined decision-making.

Lesson 2 • Dress Rehearsal and Performance Readiness

Prepares students and their casts for the final performance through structured run-throughs. Readiness protocols reduce anxiety and ensure consistent execution.

Lesson 3 • Technical and Production Coordination

Introduces the technical elements that shape the final performance experience. Choreographers who understand production can collaborate more effectively with crews.

Lesson 4 • Staging and Spacing for the Venue

Adapts choreographic material to the specific demands of the performance space. Spatial adaptation ensures that design intentions translate to the actual stage.

Lesson 1 • Collaborative and Devised Choreography

Develops skills for co-creating work with performers as creative collaborators. Devised processes yield richer material and stronger performer investment.

Lesson 2 • Site-Specific and Environmental Choreography

Teaches students to create work that responds to and is shaped by non-theater spaces. Site-specific work challenges conventional assumptions about performance and audience.

Lesson 3 • Building a Choreographic Portfolio

Guides students in curating and presenting their body of work professionally. A strong portfolio is essential for grants, residencies, and professional opportunities.

Lesson 4 • Revision, Editing, and Artistic Judgment

Builds the critical eye needed to refine and strengthen choreographic work over time. Skilled editing is what separates competent choreography from compelling art.