Choreographer Accompanist

The choreographer supports the Director's artistic interpretation of the play while adding their special vision. There is a close working relationship between the Director, the Music Director and the Choreographer. This threesome is the core of the artistic team, and both the choreographer and the music director should attend any meetings attended by the Director. This includes design and production meetings. Will a table be danced on? Will tap shoes be used? These kinds of details must be discussed and settled while ideas are still in the planning stage. Costuming is another area that requires communication. Can the actors dance, move and breathe? When people are physically active, their costume needs must be clearly communicated to the designer by the choreographer.

Responsibilities
- Collaborates with Director
- Auditions the dancers and may make recommendations to the Director for casting
- Schedules dance rehearsals
- Teaches the cast members how to execute the choreography
- With the Director, blocks and directs those areas of the play that move into and out of the musical numbers
- Functions as a movement coach throughout the show, particularly if it is a period piece and a certain style of movement is required
- Attends production meetings
- Attends rehearsals

An accompanist is needed for musical auditions. This person must be fairly well seasoned, with the ability to sight read unfamiliar music and adapt to different styles. The people auditioning rely on the accompanist to help them "shine" during the vocal audition.
A rehearsal accompanist is also needed for regular rehearsals as well as dance rehearsals. This person will have the music ahead of time to review and practice. Expect to repeat the same musical phrases over and over as the cast learns their parts. Pre-recording the dance music is helpful to the choreographer.