Falmouth, MA

CHOREOGRAPHER
JOB DESCRIPTION

The place of a Choreographer in a nine show/nine week season of summer stock music theatre is a difficult one.  The problem arises from the amount of time available to rehearse each show.  The choreographer inevitably wants more time than a director will give.  The ability to compromise and go for quality of dance rather than quantity is prized.

The successful candidate is normally a graduate student or upperclass undergraduate looking to gain the experience of working under a tight time schedule and adding in a short amount of time nine shows to his or her credits.  We are looking for someone who has a wide background in traditional dance and someone who has had considerable experience as a stage choreographer.

The duties, in general, are to choreograph the dance numbers in the nine shows according to the wishes of the directors.  This will mean that in some cases all of the choreography is turned over to the Choreographer while in others, especially in the Gilbert and Sullivan, very little may be given.  In virtually all of our shows we cut some dance numbers because of rehearsal time limitations.

It should be clearly understood that the vocal ensemble is hired on the basis of vocal quality and not dance experience.  The company is not capable in one week of rehearsals of performing very intricate or difficult choreography.  The function of the Choreographer is one of teacher in full ensemble numbers and the guiding principle of "keep it simple, but make it look great" applies.  There are opportunities in smaller numbers to work with the small number of outstanding dancers in the group.

If much of the above seems to emphasize the negative, it is simply because no one should apply for this position without knowing exactly what they are getting into.  In fact, over the years, most choreographers have stayed with us for two or three seasons and enjoyed the experience greatly.

The position pays room and board and a stipend.  Please call the number below or e-mail cloc@Oberlin.edu for the amount of the stipend. Employment dates are usually from the first weekend in June and goes for 11 weeks.