The Instrumental Role of Choreography

Choreography has played an instrumental role in the musical and visual art form. A keystone component of these genres of art as it adds an entirely different dimension to a performance. Which is why it’s important to value choreography, because in some cases it is a foundation of segment of art.

Choreography, the word itself, had first appeared back in the 1950s in the American English dictionary. The term choreographer was first early used in 1936 when crediting George Balanchine for his broadway show “On Your Toes” in 1936. Though choreography itself is a concept that preexists the term as many performances have been choreographed.

Photograph by Vadim Fomenok

Choreography has specifically been a helpful tool in musical and visual performances, with it oftentimes being synonymous with each other. The art of choreography has historically been used primarily to describe creating a dance routine. Musical artists use choreography when detailing a dance routine to accompany the song they are performing. Whether it be for a live show in an arena or music video they’re releasing for their album, dance can be used to set a performance apart from others.

Think back to when Beyoncé headlined at Coachella in 2018. It was an iconic moment not just because she was the first African American woman to headline the festival, but because she highlighted that achievement by demonstrating black excellence through the amazing visuals she accompanied the show with. Hiring African American dancers and choreographers to assist her desires for the show. This led to an authentic experience that pays homage to HBCUs and Black Greek traditions. The visually stunning display was a great collaborator for Beyoncé’s performance, giving the audience a captivating experience that was electrifying and awe inspiring, capturing the true beauty of blackness.

Photograph by Johnny Edgardo

Just recently at Super Bowl LV, we all witnessed an amazingly choreographed performance by The Weeknd and his team for the halftime show. From the exciting on stage performance to the dancing on the field. The moment was constructed in a way that accentuated The Weeknd’s talent. Having a bunch of choreographed dancers fitting in a confined space while singing “Can’t Feel My Face” encapsulated the core of the song; an energetic track with a groovy flow that likens lust to drug addiction. The choreography brings the energy while the bustling amount of dancers highlights the wonky feeling of being an addict. Feeling great in the moment while stuffing your personality away for the sake of the high; hindering yourself.

It’s not just through dancing that choreography has been a form of artistic outlet. In more recent years, choreography has been used for illustrating a scene in a movie or play.

Certain scenes, like fight scenes, need choreography so the actors know how to move and what to do. It has been an important and demanding role in recent years due to the increased revenue being made through these blockbuster movies. Getting the choreography down for a scene is key to making riveting moments that people crave. It captures the emotion the scene is trying to evoke or the characters feel. Some of the best moments on screen are due to such choreography.

The Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Anakin Skywalker lightsaber duel in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith of the Star Wars prequel is well renowned moment in the franchise. That duel was choreographed long before filming by both lead actors, Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen. Due to their diligent work, they were able to create a fan favorite scene that played a big role in the franchise’s history. Some people’s love for Star Wars was born due to that scene.

Photograph by Victor Serban

Choreography has proven to be a great feature to the musical and visual arts of the years, with its role getting even greater. It isn’t just a cool aspect of art. It’s the foundation of art. It is art. Without it, many moments we as fans cherish wouldn’t exist. Without, art wouldn’t be art.