choreografi

Choreografi is the art of designing sequences of movement in time and space for performance. It covers dance for stage and screen, as well as physical theatre where movement is central to storytelling or expressive form. A choreographer arranges steps, gestures, and paths so that dancers’ bodies interact with music, space, and other performers in a coherent whole.

The term derives from Greek choreia (dance) and graphia (writing). The practice has roots in ritual and court dances and evolved into a formal discipline with the rise of ballet in Europe, and in the 20th century broadened to contemporary dance, theatre, and multimedia works.

The choreographer's role is to conceive movement material, often in collaboration with composers, designers, and directors. They develop a concept or narrative, craft motifs or movement vocabularies, and plan cueing, transitions, and staging. In rehearsal, they guide interpretation, pacing, and spatial relationships, and may work with repetiteurs to preserve or transfer the work to other dancers. Notation and recording of movement help document choreography for future performances.

Choreography varies by genre. Classical ballet relies on a codified vocabulary and precise technique; contemporary dance explores improvisation and experimentation; musical theatre combines narrative with stylized dance; in film and television, choreography may be tailored to camera work, editing, and effects. Movement notation systems such as Labanotation and Benesh notation exist to record and reconstruct choreography.

Choreographers usually have formal training in dance and composition, and successful practice requires collaboration with performers, musicians, designers, and stage managers. The field continues to evolve as technologies and new performance contexts expand the possibilities of movement-based storytelling.