Spotlight on Andrea Moore: Choreographer Extraordinaire!

This month we are putting a spotlight on choreographer Andrea Moore!

Andrea was the choreographer for Cabaret and is a frequent actor and choreographer in local theatre, even being involved with a show at Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse at the same time she helped us choreograph Cabaret. Let's see what she has to say for aspiring actors and choreographers everywhere.

What is your normal process for choreographing a show?
Normally, when I choreograph a show, I read the script a few times, talk to the director about what they want from the dance numbers, and then I spend a lot of time just listening to the music. If there is sort of that "iconic" version of the show I might watch some video to see if there is anything I want to "borrow" and to make sure I get the feel/mood of the number right. Sometimes a director will have a version they want me to watch as well. Other than that, I don't spend a lot of time looking at other productions, I just try to make good use of the set and the cast and tell the story.

You're currently involved in a couple shows at once, yes? How do you handle that workload?
Yes, I took a break in the middle of Cabaret rehearsals and rehearsed and opened Rise Up O' Men at Circa '21. I have done back-to-back shows before, but never two that overlapped like these did. It is not unusual for a bunch of work to come at you at once; it often seems that the best way to get work is to have work. When doing multiple shows in a short period of time, I just make sure that I am preparing well in advance.

Do you have any main inspirations for your choreography?
I am mostly inspired by the story and the music. The choreography has to serve the story, and the music helps define the tone and style of the number. I can also be inspired by the set or a particular dancer, but often I don't know exactly what/who I am dealing with until kind of late in the process, so it is mostly about the script and the score. There are definitely choreographers whose work I admire, but no one I try to imitate.

Did you have any special inspirations for your choreography in Cabaret?
Cory and I had a meeting to discuss the dance numbers very early in the process, so I was definitely inspired by her vision for the dance numbers and the show as a whole. Cabaret is one of those shows that does have some iconic choreography thanks to the popularity of the movie, so I did look to the film for inspiration for some of the numbers.

What are some of your favorite roles and shows you've been a part of in the past?
My favorite role to date is Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde. Her featured number is called "Whipped into Shape," and consists of singing while doing jump rope tricks. I spent a couple of months teaching myself the Broadway choreography and then looking at YouTube videos to learn as many other tricks as I could before rehearsals started. It was a challenging role, and I had a blast doing that number every night.

Another favorite is Anybody in West Side Story, which is also my favorite show. I was lucky enough to play that role twice and I loved it both times. One of the few things that makes me sad about getting older is knowing that I will never do another West Side Story.

Do you have a favorite style of dance?
I like all styles of dance, but ballet has always been my favorite. It is not the style in which I, myself, am most proficient, but I really enjoy watching a skilled ballet dancer. Misty Copeland is my Spirit Ballerina.

Do you have any suggestions for aspiring choreographers?
My advice for any aspiring theatre professional is to work whenever and wherever you can. Watch, ask questions, be prepared, be on time, be nice, pay attention, and remember we are all here to serve the show.

Thank you for your time and beautiful choreography, Andrea! Cabaret turned out fantastically, and Andrea will be joining us next year to direct our children's show Honk Jr., so come back next year to see more of her in action!