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Give theatre choreographers and movement directors their own awards, says union group
TL;DR
The Equity group advocates for separate awards for theatre choreographers and movement directors, highlighting their undervaluation in the industry. At the recent Oliviers, only choreographer Fabian Aloise was recognized, prompting calls for more acknowledgment of movement directors.
Key points
- Equity group calls for separate awards for choreographers and movement directors
- Fabian Aloise won best theatre choreographer at the Oliviers
- Movement directors remain unrecognized at major awards ceremonies
Mentioned in this story
EquityChoreographers and Movement Directors NetworkFabian Aloise
Oliviers
Choreographers and movement directors in theatre are undervalued by awards ceremonies and deserve greater acknowledgment, says the Equity group representing both disciplines.
At last weekend’s Oliviers ceremony, the award for best theatre choreographer went to Fabian Aloise for Evita at the London Palladium. In a statement, Equity’s Choreographers and Movement Directors Network (CMDN) said it was “brilliant to see choreography recognised on major stages like the Olivier awards” but drew attention to the movement directors who worked on nominated productions yet went unrecognised with their own category. The ceremony “opens up a bigger conversation about what language we use to describe how theatre is made, and questions who gets named in that process – especially when it comes to movement and choreography”, said the CMDN.
“We want to spotlight the movement directors whose work has been integral to some of the year’s most powerful productions: Leanne Pinder for Punch, Sarah Golding for Kenrex, Imogen Knight for [the opera] Dead Man Walking, Jenny Ogilvie for Into the Woods, Sung Im Her for The Glass Menagerie, Lucy Hind for Inter Alia and Kloé Dean for The Boy at the Back of the Class.”
Powerful … The Boy at the Back of the Class. Photograph: Manuel Harlan
While theatre choreography usually refers to dance sequences, movement direction is integral to creating the physical language of an entire production, enhancing storytelling, characterisation and drama. Many choreographers also work as movement directors, but productions often use different individuals in each role.
“Movement direction sits in a nuanced space: not always ‘dance’, not always credited as choreography, yet essential to how a show lives and breathes,” said the CMDN. “If we celebrate the impact of physical storytelling, we must also evolve how we acknowledge the artists behind it.”
The network praised the Black British theatre awards for expanding their choreography category in 2022 to include movement direction. But it highlighted that the typically has no dedicated choreography or movement category and neither does the .
Q&A
Why do choreographers and movement directors need their own awards?
Choreographers and movement directors are often undervalued in theatre, lacking recognition at major awards ceremonies, which the Equity group aims to address.
Who won the best theatre choreographer award at the Oliviers?
Fabian Aloise won the best theatre choreographer award at the Oliviers for his work on Evita at the London Palladium.
Which movement directors were highlighted by the Equity group?
The Equity group spotlighted movement directors such as Leanne Pinder, Sarah Golding, and Imogen Knight, among others, for their integral contributions to notable productions.
