CHOREOGRAPHING THE AMERICAN MUSICAL

This course examines the history and development of American musical theater dance beginning in 1866 with The Black Crook and traces the genre’s evolution through a variety of theatrical venues including: spectacle, vaudeville, and revues. A primary focus of the course is the period known as “The Golden Age” of the American musical (1943-1964). During this period a talented group of American choreographers, emerged from newly formed ballet and modern dance companies. They brought their talents to the commercial theater and discovered a new venue for dance expression. How they reconstructed the use of dance in musicals and exposed commercial audiences to cultural trends and social commentary through the language of dance is a focus of the course. In addition, the craft and methodology of musical theater dance creation will be analyzed. Late twentieth century into the new millennium is considered in relation to shifting choreographic trends and the ongoing evolution of the genre.