10 Simple Steps for Starting Choreography

 Have you always wanted to create choreography, but you don't know where to start? Or you have an amazing idea, but you’re missing the tools to translate it into movement? Maybe you were asked to create choreography, but you feel empty...

Regardless of which scenario applies to you or what your style is, the following 10 tips can help to get you off the ground. Use them as inspiration and see what works for you.

1. Collect Ideas

Inspiration is everywhere. Notice what happens around you. A simple movement, an image or a sound might become an inspiration or a solution to your choreographic problem - you’re next dance move. Be aware of your everyday movements. Observe people, animals and nature. Copy and transform. Open up your mind and all your senses. Be conscious and present. If you like writing, note down your ideas so you can come back to them at any time and use them later on. 

2. Get Inspired

Your creative process doesn't begin or end in the studio. Sometimes we believe that we should be original; that we cannot draw on the work of others. But the truth is, culture constantly replicates and recycles the same elements and themes over, and over again. Reading, watching, sensing, listening, understanding, posing questions – it will all nourish your creativity. Being an artist requires processing your knowledge, technique and cultural background through the prism of your sensibility. The more you know, watch, and experience, the fuller your basket of inspiration becomes. 

In his Dance Masterclass on Choreography, Juliano Nunes dives deep into his methods for finding inspiration and developing a creative process. Juliano shares everything he knows about creating choreography to help you find your artistic voice.

3. Set Limitations

The idea that limits can produce boundless thinking seems counterintuitive, but both research and artists' experience show that creativity loves constraints. Limitless freedom doesn't exist. If you have a frame or a boundary, you can find freedom. Don't be afraid to make creative choices and limit the amount of possibilities. Believe that your mind will generate an endless number of solutions and then, simplify to what works best for you and your project. After all, as Da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” We’ll take his lead on that one!

4. Improvise

Improvisation is a great way to discover new ways of moving, new patterns and fresh ideas. Sometimes it is enough to take one simple improvisation task and play with it. You’d be surprised how much you can discover through the simplest of tasks. This tip is especially helpful if experimenting with contemporary dance moves.

For more on improv, check out Improvisation by Tess Voelker, dancer with Nederlands Dans Theater and world-renowned choreographer. 

5. Learn the Tools

Some people think that the ability to create choreography is a gift which cannot be cultivated. Well, that's not exactly true. You see, choreography is an art which can be crafted, learned. You can discover tools and techniques on how to research, generate, and structure movement. Our suggestion? Take workshops, study choreography, explore online dance classes, read books and papers written by choreographers and dance theorists - watch and analyze dance. Consciousness is key!

6. Forget the Word "Mistake"

Easier said than done, we know. But something that you see first, as a mistake, could actually lead you in a new and exciting direction. Follow your gut on this one! Don't be afraid to try or change and never, ever stop searching for your creativity. 

Be playful. Experiment. Enjoy making mistakes and use them to create. 

Every creative process is a learning experience. Give yourself the space for that! Be kind and support yourself in the process without judgment. 

In his Dance Masterclass, Shahar Binyamini helps dancers to find their unique voice so that they can more accurately express themselves through dance. His vast perspective is sure to inspire anyone who needs a little inspiration while discovering their style.

7. Record Yourself

Most of us don't like watching ourselves dancing. That’s totally natural. In that case, think of it as a way of seeing your dancing through the perspective of your choreographer. Be curious, get inspired, follow and develop what looks interesting from a choreographic point of view. Don't try to be perfect. Instead of focusing on what it looks like, focus on what you want to express and use your dancer (often yourself) as the means to finding a way to express it.

8. Ask for Support

Ask a friend, a dance instructor, or a person you trust for support. You can either talk about your ideas or move together with that person. Don't be afraid to share videos from your rehearsals or invite someone to watch you moving. Kind feedback or just some space to be heard or seen might be enough to boost your creative process.

9. Do Nothing

Is that a joke? Not at all! Boredom and rest are a very important part of creativity. Give yourself space. Rest. Take a nap. Do nothing - and you'll see that ideas will come to you.

10. Just Start 

Very often we spend a lot of time thinking about the best way to start, but really the BEST way is to simply, START. Trust yourself and trust your process. Get moving and see where it takes you because you won’t know until you try.

As in any creative process, there is no perfect recipe for choreography. Each style of dance has its own rules - and each performance will ask something different of you - but, in the end, the interpretation is entirely up to you. 

Enjoy the process, good luck!

For even more inspiration, head to our library of classes where you can explore new dance techniques and learn how to choreograph.