3 Best Choreographers of All Time

We are constantly being entertained by amazing dance sequences but we don’t think too much into who created these well thought out and carefully crafted masterpieces. This article explores the careers of 3 choreographers who left such an indelible impression on the dance scene that their artistic creations will be remembered for years to come.

George Balanchine is often regarded as the “Father of American Ballet”. For the purposes of this article, I will refer to him as George B. George B was the cofounder of the New York City Ballet and worked as its artistic director for over 3 decades. What I find particularly interesting about George B’s choreography is its constraint in the use of extravagant costumes. My conjecture is that George B was detail oriented and astute - he wanted us to see the little things that we might miss in a dance piece due to bold, grandiose and flamboyant costumes. George B’s neoclassical style was fresh and exciting. He brought something “new” and innovative to the scene by combining different approaches to ballet. George B’s early works included a dance piece in Le Boeuf sur le toit by Jean Cocteau and another dance piece in Caesar and Cleopatra by George Bernard Shaw. George B’s very first choreography was a pas de deux titled La Nuit. Apparently, when released, this piece was not met with positive remarks. In 1923, George B along with some other dancers formed a small dance group known as the Young Ballet. Among the dancers in this group was Tamara Geve, a ballet dancer who later became George B’s wife. This group toured Europe for some time and performed various dance pieces that were unfortunately also poorly received.

George B was later recruited as a choreographer for the Ballet Russes, a famous and influential ballet company that operated from 1909 to 1929. The founder of this group was Sergei Diaghilev, a Russian impresario (if you are wondering what that means, an impresario is pretty much the equivalent of a movie producer in the theatre world). George B collaborated with Igor Stravinsky to create one of his most impactful ballets called Apollon Musagete. This piece interwove classical ballet with jazz dance and Greek mythology. For Apollon Musagete, George B adopted a spartan approach in his use of costumes, set design and props. He revolutionized the ballet world when he put a spotlight on the male dancer giving him not one but TWO solos.

Other notable works by Balanchine include Danae’s Concertantes, Night Shadow, Serenade (Watch Serenade by Balanchine on YouTube), The Seven Deadly Sins, Orpheus, Firebird, Jewels and more. George B moved to the US in 1933 and established The School of American Ballet in 1934. In partnership with Lincoln Kirsten, George B also founded The New York City Ballet in 1948.

George B’s works as well as the impact he left on the world of dance will be remembered for years to come. George B’s approach to creating dance pieces is unique because of his musicality. For George B, the music seems to provide the compass for his artistic creation.

Fosse was a choreographer, director and dancer born in Chicago, Illinois on June 23rd, 1927. Fosse was the guy who really shook up the game and utterly transformed musicals. His style of dance was eccentric, almost cartoonish (in a good way), stimulating and energetic. Fosse moved to New York in 1947 and enrolled in the American Theatre Wing where he studied acting (Britannica). He partnered up with Mary Ann Niles who was his first wife and danced with her both in films and on stage. In 1950, Fosse made his debut in Broadway in the chorus of Dance Me a Song (Britannica). Fosse danced and sang in big musical productions such as Kiss Me Kate, Give a Girl a Break and more. Some of the notable musicals choreographed by Fosse include Pajama game, Damn Yankees, Little Me, Chicago, Dancin’ Sweet Charity and more. His choreographies won him Tony awards and many other accolades.

Fosse had various signature moves that are still utilized in musical routines across the globe today. Some of these moves being slouched backs, exaggerated back leans, shoulder rolls etc. Fun fact - he is also the choreographer who popularized the famous “jazz hands”.

When it was adapted for television, Fosse was invited to make his debut as a director for Sweet Charity (Watch Bob Fosse Iconic Sweet Charity Choreography). Although, the film did not receive good reviews, Fosse later directed other productions such as Cabaret and Liza with a Z which won academy awards for both choreography and direction. Fosse won an Emmy, an Oscar and a Tony in 1973 making him the first artist to win all 3 awards in the same year (Britannica).

What I find interesting about fosse is his unmatched creativity and his daring approach to making art. In Cabaret for example, he uses light, colours and movement to echo themes of decay, ugliness and sordidness. He incorporates awkward movements into his choreographies and adopts an eclectic approach utilizing props and allowing his routines to be influenced by styles that most people would never think to mix. Fosse was one of a kind and his one of a kind mind is evident in all of his unique and inspiring creations.

Pearl was born on November 29th, 1919 at the Port of Spain in Trinidad. Pearl was a choreographer, teacher, dancer and anthropologist. Her work was a reflection of the experiences of African American communities as well as the findings of her research in the Caribbeans and in Africa (Britannica). Pearl moved to New York City with her family at the tender age of 2 (Britannica). Although her focus was on dance, Pearl had a degree in premedical sciences, a degree in biology, a masters in Education and a doctorate in Anthropology (Britannica). Pearl made her debut in 1943 with The New Dance with whom she received a scholarship to study modern dance (Britannica).

Pearl established her dance company in 1944. Her first choreographic piece titled African Ceremonial was also debuted in the same year. Pearl received a Rosenwald Foundation Scholarship to study dance in Africa 4 years later (1948) and made many research trips to various African countries including Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Liberia and more. Pearl choreographed various evocative and compelling pieces that addressed racial injustices, racially motivated crimes and persecution. Some of her works include The Negro Speaks Rivers, Strange Fruit and Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore.

I found Strange Fruit particularly gripping and thought provoking in its delivery choices. Pearl chooses to use poetry of the same title by Lewis Allen (instead of music) to tell the story of a lynching event. I interpret the fruit as a metaphor for the individual who has been lynched. Pearl’s piece is moving and creates vivid images in our minds as we listen to the words of a poet who describes the shocking image of a carcass hanging from a tree like a fruit. The dancer (Dawn Marie Watson) is frantic, restless and almost appears to be enraged - she throws herself around the stage with reckless abandon as though she were wailing unable to be consoled. Several times, the dancer clasps her hands together and appears to plead for something. She makes no sound and allows the poet to lend his voice to her. It is as though her voice has been taken away, just like the life of the individual who has been lynched - absolutely breathtaking. Watch Strange Fruit by Pearl Primus on YouTube

Pearl was appointed director of the Performing Arts Centre based in Liberia (Britannica) and received many accolades during her lifetime including the National Medal of Arts in 1991.

Conclusion

There have been many other choreographers who have made a lasting impact on the dance world including Martha Graham, Katherine Dunham, Alvin Ailey and many more. Although, I have not included them in this article, their influence is in no way diminished or unappreciated. The purpose of this blog is simply to give recognition to those artists who have come before me, study the paths they have taken and share my take on their approach to artistry.