Choreography: The Basics

By (author) Roche Jenny; By (author) Burridge Stephanie
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This book provides a comprehensive and concise overview of choreography as both a creative skill and as a field of study, introducing readers to the essential theory and context of choreographic practice.
Description

This book provides a comprehensive and concise overview of choreography both as a creative skill and as a field of study, introducing readers to the essential theory and context of choreographic practice.

Providing invaluable practical considerations for creating choreography as well as leading international examples from a range of geographical and cultural contexts, this resource will enhance students’ knowledge of how to create dance. This clear guide outlines both historical and recent developments within the field, including how choreographers are influenced by technology and intercultural exchange, whilst also demonstrating the potential to address social, political and philosophical themes. It further explores how students can devise and analyse their own work in a range of styles, how choreography can be used in range of contexts – including site-specific work and digital technologies – and engages with communities of performers to give helpful, expert suggestions for developing choreographic projects.

This book is a highly valuable resource for anyone studying dancemaking, dance studies or contemporary choreographic practice and those in the early stages of dance training who wish to pursue a career as a choreographer or in a related profession.

Table of contents

Introduction, 1. The Journey Begins, 2. Choreographic Notebook, 3. Broader Skills a Choreographer Needs, 4. Choreographic (Re)evolution, Documentation and Preservation, 5. A Choreographic Voice, 6. Choreography for Sites, Screens and Community Practice, Conclusion: Next Steps on Your Choreographic Journey

Review quote

"Roche and Burridge''s book, Choreography: The Basics, is an insightful introduction to the theory and practice of choreography that is illustrated with current choreographic examples from diverse regions and cultural contexts. For anyone considering studying dance as a profession, I would recommend this book."

Professor Anna CY Chan, Dean of the School of Dance, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

"Choreography: The Basics is ideally suited to undergraduates seeking to better understand a multiplicity of approaches to making dances. Emphasising the social and relational aspects of choreography, alongside its craft and discipline, this accessible text is packed with insights and portraits of choreographic processes for the twenty-first century."

Professor Carol Brown, Head of VCA Dance, University of Melbourne

"Brought to life through diverse examples, Choreography: The Basics provides a road map of the experience, knowledge and contexts of making dances. I would recommend this book to all dance students and scholars eager to establish a sound basis to their choreographic studies."

Dr Jamieson Dryburgh, Director of Higher Education, Central School of Ballet, London

Biographical note

Jenny Roche (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Having worked as a dancer for many years, she continues to collaborate on interdisciplinary arts projects as a performer, maker and arts practice researcher. Her book Multiplicity, Embodiment and The Contemporary Dancer: Moving Identities was published in 2015.

Stephanie Burridge (PhD) lectures at LASALLE College of the Arts and Singapore Management University and is a choreographer, performer and dance writer. She is Series Editor for the Routledge collections Celebrating Dance