The Art and Science of Aerial Choreography

Creating aerial choreography is a unique blend of artistic vision and technical precision. As Lead Choreographer for Arodrome Show, I've spent years developing a process that balances the emotional impact we want to create with the physical realities of aerial performance. In this post, I'd like to share some insights into how we develop the breathtaking sequences you see in our shows.

Choreography Begins with a Story

Every aerial sequence we create begins with a central narrative or emotional journey. Before considering a single movement, we ask ourselves: What story are we telling? What emotional experience do we want the audience to have?

For example, in our upcoming winter show "Crystal Flight," we have a sequence representing the formation of frost. The story follows the transformation of water droplets into intricate crystal patterns. This narrative guides every choreographic choice – from the initial fluid movements to the geometric shapes that gradually emerge as the sequence progresses.

Even abstract performances have an emotional arc. We map out the journey – perhaps from vulnerability to strength, or from isolation to connection – and use this as our roadmap for choreographic decisions.

The Musical Conversation

Music is an essential partner in aerial choreography. We approach the relationship between movement and music as a conversation – sometimes the movement follows the music, sometimes it contrasts with it, and sometimes it anticipates what's coming next.

When selecting music, we look for pieces that:

• Support the emotional journey of the sequence
• Provide dynamic variation that allows for both powerful and delicate moments
• Offer clear musical phrases that performers can connect with
• Create space for both technical showcases and emotional moments

We often work with composers to create original scores or adapt existing pieces to perfectly match our choreographic vision. For example, in our "Ice Storm" sequence, we collaborated with our music director to extend certain sections, allowing time for a complex aerial transition that needed more beats than the original composition provided.

"The most powerful moments in aerial choreography often come when the movement and music achieve perfect synchronicity, creating an experience greater than the sum of its parts."

— Sophia Reynolds

The Technical Framework

Aerial choreography exists within a framework of technical possibilities and constraints. Unlike ground-based dance, we must consider:

• Apparatus properties: Each aerial apparatus (silks, hoop, trapeze, straps, etc.) has its own vocabulary of possible movements.
• Rigging requirements: The technical setup determines what's physically possible in the space.
• Performer stamina: Aerial work is incredibly demanding, requiring strategic planning of intensity throughout a sequence.
• Safety considerations: All movements must be not just beautiful but secure and repeatable.

Rather than viewing these as limitations, we see them as creative parameters that shape our work. Sometimes the most innovative choreographic solutions emerge from working within constraints.

For instance, when choreographing a duet between performers on different apparatus, we need to consider their relative positions in space, the different timing of their movements, and how to create visual harmony between different aerial disciplines.

The Choreographic Process

Our process for developing aerial choreography typically follows these stages:

1. Concept Development:

   We define the story, emotional journey, and aesthetic we want to achieve. This includes gathering visual references, creating mood boards, and developing character profiles if the piece is narrative-based.

2. Musical Selection or Composition:

   Working with our music director, we select or create music that supports our vision.

3. Movement Exploration:

   Performers improvise with the apparatus, exploring movements that express the intended emotions and narrative. This experimental phase is crucial for discovering unique movement possibilities.

4. Sequence Building:

   We begin constructing sequences, considering both the artistic intent and technical flow. This is where we map specific movements to musical phrases.

5. Technical Integration:

   Working with our technical director, we incorporate lighting, stage elements, and any special effects that enhance the choreography.

6. Refinement:

   Through rehearsal, we fine-tune timing, transitions, and emotional expression. Often, this stage involves making adjustments based on performer feedback about what feels natural in their bodies.

7. Integration with Larger Production:

   Finally, we ensure the sequence fits seamlessly within the broader show, considering how it contributes to the overall audience experience.

The Performer-Choreographer Relationship

Aerial choreography is inherently collaborative. While I may have the initial vision, the performers bring it to life and contribute their own insights and abilities.

Each performer has unique strengths, physical proportions, and ways of moving. A successful choreographer recognizes this and creates work that showcases each artist's particular gifts while pushing them to grow.

With Maria, our lead performer, I know she has exceptional emotional expressivity and fluid transitions. When choreographing for her, I create spaces within the sequence where she can bring her personal interpretation to the movement. With other performers who have different strengths – perhaps exceptional technical precision or dramatic dynamic movements – I'll choreograph to highlight those qualities.

This customized approach ensures that the choreography not only looks good but feels authentic to the performers executing it, which translates to a more genuine connection with the audience.

Spatial Considerations

Aerial choreography happens in three dimensions, utilizing the full volume of the performance space. When creating sequences, I consider:

• Height variations: Using different levels to create visual interest and emphasize dramatic moments
• Audience perspective: How the movement reads from different viewing angles
• Spatial pathways: The journey of the performer through space, creating patterns and flow
• Focus points: Directing the audience's attention to specific areas or moments

In group choreography, spatial relationships between performers become particularly important. We might create contrast through asymmetry, harmony through synchronized movements, or visual storytelling through the changing distances between performers.

Rhythm and Dynamics

The pacing of an aerial sequence is critical to its impact. A common mistake in aerial choreography is maintaining the same energy level throughout – creating a sequence that's all spectacular drops or all slow, sustained movements.

Instead, we craft choreography with deliberate variations in:

• Speed: Contrasting quick, dynamic movements with slow, controlled ones
• Effort: Alternating between moments that showcase strength and moments of apparent effortlessness
• Complexity: Balancing technically complex sequences with simpler, emotionally resonant movements
• Suspension and release: Creating moments of tension and resolution

These variations not only create more interesting choreography but also allow performers to manage their energy throughout a sequence, which is crucial given the physical demands of aerial work.

The Finishing Touches

Once the movement is established, we refine the sequence with attention to:

• Detailed hand and body positions: The final lines and shapes that define the visual aesthetic
• Gaze and focus: Where performers direct their attention, which guides the audience's eye
• Breath patterns: Coordinating breath with movement for both practical stamina and expressive quality
• Costume considerations: Ensuring the choreography works with costume designs, sometimes adapting movements to showcase fabric movement or special costume elements

These details may seem small, but they're often what elevates a sequence from impressive to truly moving.

Aerial Choreography as Storytelling

At its heart, aerial choreography is a form of storytelling – whether we're telling a literal narrative or creating an emotional experience. The unique quality of aerial performance is that it can express things that seem impossible in everyday life: flight, defying gravity, superhuman strength, otherworldly grace.

This makes it particularly powerful for conveying transformative experiences, magical elements, or emotional states that transcend ordinary movement. In our winter show, the aerial choreography becomes the perfect medium to express the ethereal quality of snowflakes, the crystalline structure of ice, and the dancing waves of the northern lights.

When aerial choreography succeeds, the technical elements become invisible to the audience. They don't see a series of moves; they experience a story told through the unique language of bodies in flight.

The Evolution of Our Choreographic Approach

Aerial arts are still a relatively young performance discipline, and the choreographic approach continues to evolve. At Arodrome Show, we're constantly exploring new directions:

• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Working with choreographers from other movement disciplines to bring fresh perspectives
• Technology integration: Incorporating projection mapping, interactive lighting, and other technologies that respond to movement
• Custom apparatus development: Creating specialized equipment that enables new movement possibilities
• Audience immersion: Experimenting with performance formats that surround the audience or bring them into closer proximity with the aerial action

These explorations keep our creative process vibrant and ensure that our choreography continues to surprise and move audiences.

I hope this glimpse into our choreographic process helps you appreciate the layers of thought and creativity that go into the aerial sequences you see at Arodrome Show. Next time you watch our performers soaring through the air, you'll have a deeper understanding of the artistic and technical considerations that shaped every moment of their flight.