Working on a musical is, of course, much different than working on your own personal dance projects. Whether the choreographer or the assistant, you have a director to answer to -- the director is generally in charge of the overall vision of the show and it is your job to help her see that vision come to life. That is not to say that you do not have creative input, but in the end, the director must be the final voice on all aspects of the show. As the assistant choreographer, you also have the choreographer to answer to. I feel it is very important to remind yourself of these things throughout the production process.
I decided to undertake this project because I wanted more experience in the musical theater genre and because I have a great deal of respect for the choreographer I was working under. I had worked with her in the opposite roles in the past, and also as choreographer to her director. We knew we could work well together; this is also very important.
I tried to have a clear view of how I was needed before we began the rehearsal process. The choreographer gave me explicit instructions of what she expected from me while allowing me to express my ideas. I made it my goal to be present when she couldn't be and to support what she had previously done with the cast. I wanted to be an extension of her creative process.
Being an assistant is particularly enlightening for the novice choreographer for obvious reasons, but it is also a good opportunity for the more experienced choreographer as well. I have lots of experience choreographing, but not a lot of experience choreographing musicals. After going through this process as an assistant, I feel more ready to tackle my own musical as the main choreographer, which I will be doing later this year.
Another perk to being a choreographer's assistant is the contacts made in every show experience. Though the musical director, director, and other creative staff (as well as the cast) were not able to see my full potential as a choreographer, they did see my work ethic, the professional way I lead rehearsals, and my ability to work in a team. This can only be a good thing for my future choreographing shows at this theater and beyond.
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