The Journey to Associate Director and Choreographer... and Beyond

For every West End and Broadway musical that's running in London and New York, as well as shows across the world and on tour, a team of associate creatives is behind the scenes keeping them alive. But how does someone become this multi-faceted role, and what skills do they need in order to succeed? Being an Associate Director or Choreographer is an all-encompassing role that requires diplomacy, creativity, organisation, tact and efficiency; this book is the first all-inclusive guide written to help aspiring and practising creatives find their way into this vital part of the theatre industry ecosystem. Learn from an industry professional with years of experience in the field, and gain insight into every aspect of the associate role. Whether you are a young creative looking to work in the field or a seasoned professional looking to make the transition, this book will be accessible and relevant to all. Addressing the practical skills necessary to succeed in the role - from creating your own content to networking tips and advice on building relationships with fellow creatives - the core of this book takes you through what it is like 'on the job', from the rehearsal room, to opening night and beyond. Discover how to make working tables, charts and diagrams to help maintain a show, handle cast changes, work with understudies and swings as well as replicate the work in different circumstances time after time, within a specific professional brief. Combining industry expertise and practical advice from the best associates working in theatre today this much-needed guide ends by looking at how you can successfully become your own creative and use the skills discussed to flourish as a director or choreographer in musical theatre.

Richard J. Hinds, a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, is a NYC/London based Director and Choreographer. He served as the Associate on the Broadway and West End productions of Titanique, Elf, Company, Come From Away, Disney's Newsies, Jekyll and Hyde, Il Divo: A Musical Affair as well as the National Theatre's productions of Here Lies Love. He also worked on the National/UK Tours of 9 to 5, Disney's High School Musical and David Walliams' Demon Dentist and Awful Auntie. Richard's directing and choreography credits include Escape to Margaritaville (BroadwayWorld "Best Direction of a Musical"), Footloose, The Drowsy Chaperone, Guys and Dolls, Buddy, Tootsie, Jersey Boys, Holiday Inn, How to Succeed., Fame, Evita, Mamma Mia!, Saturday Night Fever, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Chicago, Hairspray, Joseph. Dreamcoat, The Sound of Music, All Shook Up, Catch Me If You Can, Newsies!, Smokey Joe's Cafe, The Fantasticks, Forever Plaid, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sweet Charity, The Rocky Horror Show and Pump Boys and Dinettes.

FOREWORD ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS INTRODUCTION - MY JOURNEY WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN "ASSISTANT" AND AN "ASSOCIATE?" PART 1: PREPARING FOR THE JOB -DO YOUR REASEARCH -CREATING CONTENT AND BUILDING A REEL -CREATING AN ONLINE PRESENENCE -CREATING RELATIONSHIPS -GETTING THE JOB PART 2: ON THE JOB (MUSICALS) -PREPERATION -AUDITIONS -PRE-PRODUCTION -IN REHEARSAL -TAKING AND GIVING NOTES -DOCUMENTATION & BLOCKING BIBLES -TECH -PREVIEWS TO OPENING NIGHT -MAINTENANCE -ROLL OUT -ONTO THE NEXT -BALANCING BOTH SIDES -PERSPECTIVE AND ADVICE PART 3: ON THE JOB (PLAYS) -PERSPECTIVE AND ADVICE PART 4: INHERITING A SHOW AS AN ASSOCIATE PART 5: BROADWAY vs. REGIONAL THEATRE PART 6: EXPERIENCES AROUND THE WORLD PART 7: CONTRACTS PART 8: BECOMING YOUR OWN DIRECTOR AND/OR CHOREOGRAPHER -MY JOURNEY -YOUR JOURNEY PART 9: IN CONCLUSION GLOSSARY ASSOCIATE CONTRIBUTORS