Choreographing RENT felt completely different from many other musical theatre experiences because the show is more open to interpretation when it comes to movement and dance. With the exception of a tango (which happens to be my favorite ballroom dance style), really anything goes in terms of choreography. I can remember having a similar feeling when I worked on Godspell, like I had complete artistic freedom. The absence of strict parameters is both liberating and terrifying. I decided to embrace the lack of restrictions. I used aerial fabric, dance body bags, and aerial pole dance in this production (kudos to Reagan James for singing while upside down!).
RENT became a kind of right of passage for many of us on the production; it is a draining show both emotionally and physically, and while the production was somewhat plagued with issues, the process truly united the cast and crew. I am eternally grateful for the experience; seeing how theatre makers come together for a common goal, despite obstacles, invigorated my commitment to the art form.
Photo Credit: ETSU Photographic Services