Conversations with Choreographers

by Svetlana Grody, Dorothy Lister

How do choreographers do what they do? Where do the ideas come from? Is there a technique involved and how do they even begin? From the publishers of Conversations in the Actors on Acting comes another practical inside look at the professional theatre. Svetlana Grody and Dorothy Lister have conducted a dozen interviews over the last two decades with show business' top choreographers on and about their technical approach to choreography, and bring the best of these to you in Conversations With Choreographers. Hermes Pan, Don Saddler, Lee Theodore, Graciela Daniele, Tommy Tune . . . and more!

236 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 1996

Reviews

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and insightful!

A great reminder that the many of the original broadway choreographers studied with Graham and Humphrey.

Also, this book offered a teeny little window into how the business used to work. Broadway producers hiring choreographers because they did such an amazing job choreographing summer stock? You'd never get hired that way now.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting look into the life and processes of career choreographers. Does get a little repetitive since each choreographer is asked the same questions and they're pretty much all the same type of choreographer (theatrical ie Broadway.) I would love to see an updated version of this book with input from music video choreographers, ballet choreographers, dance teachers/competition coaches, etc, to get a broader perspective of how other branches of dance approach choreography.

[Sarah McCauley]

Paused at pg 65. Next profile is Lee Theodore.

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great input and wonderful questions are asked of each choreographer, however since all the same questions are asked over and over it gets tedious to read for long periods of time. This is a good one to read a chapter or two every other week or so. Or to reference from time to time.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfying interviews with choreographers; among them are
Hermes Pan, Fred Astaire's right hand man, and Tommy Tune, as well as many others. Interesting to hear how they formulate their visions.