Being a freelancer is a race against time. There’s so much more to do then I ever thought and yet I’ve never missed a deadline. Here are three ways to tackle any deadlines from a freelance choreographers point of view:
Step 1: Adage
Plan, plan and plan everything before you go ahead with anything. Mind Maps, lists, schedules and priorities need to be in check before rehearsals start so that you can concentrate on being the artist and not the head of a project but a choreographer. If possible hire the people you need to privilege the creative process or try to find collaborators for costumes etc. The hundred dollar tip: don’t try to do everything by yourself, you’ll drown. When it’s carefully planned out there’s a chance of navigating clearer waters.
Step 2: Kick ball-change
Trust your original idea, the little seed that gave you the first push of creating the choreography that you’re working on. I think ideas are like roots and every choreographer should nurture them and try to make them bloom during the creative process. No matter in what genre you identify with – from ballet to jazz dance – there’ll always be a work that precedes yours. So do your research and don’t be afraid to lean into it when in doubt. Then there’ll be a point when you need to perform the kick to get off of the old ball and chain and go your own way.
Step 3: Spot
Going back to step one, it’s essential to stick with the program. Only do what you set out to do and make sure that it’s all about the choreography. Don’t forget that’s the most important part of being a choreographer, actually being able to carry out the choreography in a way that makes the dancers shine. I think of the choreographer as the anchor of a project, it defines what we’ve gathered here for and even if we drift towards unknown waters we’ll stay grounded because the anchor will pull us back. There’s a focus, just like what you need for a good turn.
All that Jazz,
Wilma-Emilia Kuosa, a jazzin’ freelance choreographer
