Choreopoem

A choreopoem is a form of dramatic expression that combines poetry, dance, music, and song.[1] The term was first coined in 1975[2] by American writer Ntozake Shange in a description of her work, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Shange's attempt to depart from traditional western poetry and storytelling resulted in a new art form that doesn't contain specific plot elements or characters, but instead focuses on creating an emotional response from the audience.[3] In Shange's work, nontraditional spelling and African American Vernacular English are aspects of this genre that differ from traditional American literature.[4] She emphasizes the importance of movement and nonverbal communication throughout the choreopoem so that it is able to function as a theatrical piece rather than being limited to poetry or dance.[5]

The "XX Chromosome Genome Project" by S. Ann Johnson is a contemporary example of a choreopoem. It combines poetry, song and dance to illuminate the commonalities and differences between women of various cultures.[6] In this choreopoem, Johnson writes about eight women in search of self-acceptance and liberation. These colorfully dressed women, who are named after flavors of foods, represent international cultures around the world through music, spoken word, and movement.[7]

Another contemporary artist championing the choreopoem is Monica Prince,[8] author of How to Exterminate the Black Woman ([PANK], 2020)[9], and the forthcoming Roadmap (SFWP 2023). Prince teaches the art of the choreopoem at Susquehanna University.[10]

  1. ^ Rawson, Christopher (March 7, 2008). ""Layla" is Forceful "Choreopoem"". ProQuest. ProQuest 390693272.
  2. ^ Cox-Cordova, Jill (July 21, 2009). "Shange's 'For Colored Girls' has lasting power". CNN. Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  3. ^ rorydean (February 22, 2011). "For Colored Girls (2010)". Above the Line. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  4. ^ Waxman, Barbara (Autumn 1994). "Dancing out of Form, Dancing into Self: Genre and Metaphor in Marshall, Shange, and Walker". MELUS. 19 (3): 91–106. doi:10.2307/467874. JSTOR 467874.
  5. ^ "Shange, Ntozake". literati. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  6. ^ "The XX Chromosome Genome Project by S. Ann Johnson". 2 Pens & Lint LLC. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  7. ^ Matema, ZSun-Nee. "'XX Chromosome Genome Project' at Hamilton Arts Center". DC Metro Theater Arts. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  8. ^ Episode #186 Monica Prince on Choreopoems and Her Journey to Poetry, retrieved 2022-03-21
  9. ^ admin (2020-03-26). "How to Exterminate the Black Woman (a Choreopoem) by Monica Prince". [PANK]. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  10. ^ "Monica Prince". www.susqu.edu. Retrieved 2022-03-21.