Sometimes teachers ask too much of themselves.. Their work feels like they're doing “chore-eography” instead of choreography. So, here are some ideas to find some fresh inspiration:
Use a Theme
A theme helps you focus your creative spirit. Many studio owners select a recital theme and base all of their choreography on that idea. This also helps with music and costume selections. Of course, with a little creativity you can make any dance match any theme. Some people select one theme for their ballet classes and a slightly looser one for the other disciplines; others choose a different theme for each section of the show. Keeping concepts simple allows you to remain flexible.
Two of my favorite themes are “Food Fabulous Food,” in which all of the dances have to do with food and the program is a full menu, and “Don’t Bug Me, I’m Dancing,” with dances that center on the world of insects and bugs. Audience favorites I know of include circus, colors, hats, and travel themes.
Go to the Theater
See professional companies and performances of all kinds. Go to Broadway shows, plays, the symphony, and even operas and ice skating shows. The music as well as talent and artistic flair of others is extremely inspiring. Being in a live audience, with its sounds, colors, and electricity, will recharge your own artistic batteries.
Surround yourself with art and color
I like to visit art museums, art shows, and fairs. I make notes about colors and shapes and let these things inspire my choreography. Allow the colors to flow over into the costuming. A favorite painting or sculpture can be a jumping-off point for an entire piece. This year I selected a painting from the Museum of Modern Art that featured bright colors and geometric shapes on a round canvas. It led me to create circular movement that I had not previously used, and its color patterns influenced the dance’s costuming. As I choreographed, I pictured the painting on the floor. I assigned each student a color, then had them move in ways that described their color’s patterns on the floor. The angles in the painting gave me new ideas for arm shapes and isolation patterns. The blending of colors led to ideas for partnering and the shading helped me include a variety of levels in my work.
Being in a live audience, with its sounds, colors, and electricity, will recharge your own artistic batteries.
Tell a Story
It doesn't matter whether the dancers or audiences ever know what the story is; you simply draw on the characters and events in the story to generate ideas for movement. I once told the story of purchasing my Yorkshire terrier—my dancers never knew they were tracing the head, legs, and tail of my dog when they ran intricate floor patterns. Swinging arms, floor rolls, and spirited jumps all described my pet and made the process of choreographing—and the secret story behind it—fun for me. In another recent piece of mine, the dancers represented people in my life, which created an interesting motivation for dancer interaction and helped me feel closer to people I had been missing.
Read a Good Book
Books are excellent sources for ideas, both fact and fiction. Sample some that describe the lives, ideas, and works of different choreographers and the art of effectively designing movement.
Tap Into Your Students' Ideas
Draw inspiration from your students and their creative spirit by allowing them to experiment with improvisation and watching what they create. Students love to feel involved and are proud of their input.
During a choreographic workshop with my modern students, I watched a beautiful 1-minute story performed by an 8-year-old. She told about planting a seed in the fall, her disappointment when it did not grow right away, and her surprise when it sprouted in the spring. Many others created captivating pieces that told complete stories they were unwilling to explain but that inspired new, heartfelt movement. Try layering their pieces together and watching the students interact. And always give appropriate credit when listing choreographers.
Select Music You Enjoy
Working with music you do not like can be a real chore. Go to a large music store, grab an expensive cup of coffee, and visit the listening stations to sample new music or artists. Online music stores like iTunes, Amazon, and Wal-Mart Music allow you to sample large collections of music in the comfort of your pajamas before purchasing.
Being able to cut, layer, and enhance music can make it more desirable to work with. Learn to use a music-editing program or find someone to do it for you.
Use Guest Choreographers
Sometimes guest artists who create dances for your school unearth talents or weaknesses in your students that you had overlooked. Observe their choreographic process and ask questions if possible. This will allow you to take a much-deserved break and learn something at the same time.
Try to incorporate small sections of choreography you acquire at conventions or workshops into your dances that might inspire something new in you.
Some choreographers start by selecting music; some begin with movement; others rely on improvisation or simply connect their favorite combinations from class. Regardless of your method, know that creative blocks come and go for all artists. But a sincere love of teaching and your students will see you through dance after dance.