Choreography
The art of designing movement sequences for dance and performance.
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements of physical bodies (or their depictions) in which motion or form or both are specified. It most commonly refers to dance choreography, and a choreographer creates choreographies through the process known as choreographing. The word choreography literally means 'dance-writing' from the Greek words 'χορεία' (circular dance) and 'γραφή' (writing).
- field
- Performing arts, dance
- known_for
- Designing sequences of movement for dance and other performance forms
- earliest_dictionary_entry
- American English dictionary in the 1950s
Lore & Background
In Renaissance Italy, dance masters created movements for social dances which were taught, while staged ballets were created similarly. In 16th century France, French court dances were developed in an artistic pattern. In the 17th and 18th centuries, social dance became more separated from theatrical dance performances, and the word choreography was applied to the written record of dances, later known as dance notation. The ballet master or choreographer became the 'arranger of dance as a theatrical art', with notable masters including Jean-Georges Noverre, Gasparo Angiolini, Jean Dauberval, Charles Didelot, and Salvatore Viganò. Ballet developed its own vocabulary in the 19th century, with romantic ballet choreographers such as Carlo Blasis, August Bournonville, Jules Perrot, and Marius Petipa.
Reader's Guide
Choreography is significant as the foundational art of designing movement sequences, primarily in dance but also in fields such as opera, cheerleading, theatre, marching band, synchronized swimming, cinematography, ice skating, gymnastics, fashion shows, show choir, cardistry, video game production, and animated art. The choreographic process may employ improvisation or planned choreography, with techniques including mirroring, retrograde, canon, levels, shadowing, and unison.
Did You Know?
- The word choreography first appeared in the American English dictionary in the 1950s.
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