choreography
Movement composition art
Choreography is the art of designing and arranging dance movements, or the movements themselves as composed for a particular performance.
A choreographer creates sequences of steps, gestures, and spatial patterns that dancers then execute.
The term extends beyond dance to describe any carefully planned sequence of movements or actions: The choreography of the heist required split-second timing.
Political events, ceremonies, and even sports plays may be described as having choreography when their coordination seems deliberate and rehearsed.
Pre-performance practice session
- premiereFirst public performance
- stageRaised performance platform
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- costumesClothes for assuming roles
lighting · curtain call · run-through · dress rehearsal · blocking · spacing · cue · tech rehearsal
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- timingArt of choosing moments
pulse · meter · groove · count · polyrhythm · downbeat · upbeat · accent
Classical dance on pointe
- contemporaryOf the present age
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- hip-hopRhythmic spoken-word music
- tangoLatin ballroom with sharp stops
salsa · ballroom · tap · flamenco · kathak · waltz · samba · rumba
Ordered configuration or agreement
- notationSystem of written symbols
- stagingPreparing for presentation
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
sequencing · blocking · phrasing · transitions · formations · spacing · floor pattern · counts
Conveyed thought or feeling
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- fluidityState of flowing freely
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- interpretationAssigned meaning
style · aesthetics · musicality · storytelling · emotion · nuance · presence · technique
rehearsal
Pre-performance practice session
costumes · lighting · curtain call · run-through · dress rehearsal · blocking · spacing · cue · tech rehearsal · cast
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- tempoRate of musical performance
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
timing · pulse · meter · groove · count · polyrhythm · downbeat · upbeat · accent · measure
ballet
Classical dance on pointe
- contemporaryOf the present age
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- hip-hopRhythmic spoken-word music
tango · salsa · ballroom · tap · flamenco · kathak · waltz · samba · rumba · swing
arrangement
Ordered configuration or agreement
- notationSystem of written symbols
- stagingPreparing for presentation
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
orchestration · sequencing · blocking · phrasing · transitions · formations · spacing · floor pattern · counts · cues
expression
Conveyed thought or feeling
interpretation · style · aesthetics · musicality · storytelling · emotion · nuance · presence · technique · virtuosity
pirouette
Ballet turn on one foot
adagio · allegro · pas de deux · relevé · sauté · attitude · cabriole · frappé · chassé · glissade
- skatingskating, ice skating, roller skating, figure skating, inline skating
- theatreBroadway, acting, theatre, stage, actor
- Aerobicsaerobics class, aerobic dance, step aerobics, water aerobics, aqua aerobics
- film jobsdirector, actor, actress, producer, editor
- movement artscontemporary dance, modern dance, ballet solo, jazz dance, interpretive dance
- figure skatingspins, triple lutz, edges, footwork, ice dancing
choreographyimprovisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
freestyle · free dance · improv · ad-libbing · extemporization
choreographychaos
Complete disorder and confusion
randomness · disorder · disorganization · formlessness · disarray
choreographystillness
Complete lack of motion
stasis · immobility · motionlessness · inertia · paralysis
- fight choreographyDesigning staged combat
- fight choreographerPlans staged combat sequences
- choreographed routinesPreplanned movement sequences
- choreography classInstruction in staged movement
- battle choreographyPlanned sequence of staged combat
choreograph, choreographer, choreographed, choreographing, choreographic, choreographs, choreographers, choreographies, choreographically