The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball
Encyclopedia
The Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball show is the longest running dance show in Southern California, and a popular monthly showcase of the top/elite choreographers in the world (video
, music
, and film
). The show is run in Hollywood, with satellite choreographer’s balls in New York
, Paris
, London
, and Tokyo
.
The show is considered the dance community's ultimate competitive venue for choreographers to perform or display their work.
choreographers' Carey Ysais and Paulette Azizian in 2000 to give working choreographers and dancers a venue where they could have free artistic expression without the constraints of an artist
, a director
, or a script
. Ysais modeled the show after a similar choreographer showcase that had run at Prince
's Glam Slam nightclub
in Los Angeles in the 1990s.
Performances include funk
, hip hop
, tap dancing, modern
, ballet
, lyrical dance
, spoken word
, and performance art
. Each show has up to 14 choreographers and/or their dancers who are given "five minutes of freedom" to work artistically and perform before their peers.
Each performance (i.e., "piece") in the show is similar to a mini-musical, with an overall theme, props, costumes, and dance styles. Virtually any kind of dance music might be played or various music styles combined. However, many pieces are known for being edgy and provocative.
Some choreographers use the show for dance experimentation.
s for movie, music, and television productions regularly attend The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball shows searching for talent. Many dancers get industry work after performing at the show. It is estimated that up to "30 percent of participating dancers get bookings" as a result of of being in a Choreographer Ball show.
The show often includes special guests and appearances by many of the top dancers and choreographers including luminaries such as Paula Abdul
, Travis Payne
, Kenny Ortega
, and Wade Robson
. The audience is usually populated with many of the top song writers
and musical acts in the entertainment business.
Regular hosts
include:
11th Anniversary Show
On January 2, 2010, The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball celebrated their 11th anniversary. At the show, choreography agent Julie McDonald
was honored for being a pioneer of dance representation and a friend, helper, and agent to many choreographers for over 25 years. The award was presented to her by one of her first clients, Paula Abdul
.
10th Anniversary Show
On February 4, 2009, The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball celebrated their 10th anniversary. At the show, Debbie Allen
was honored for her innumerable contributions to the art of dance and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Nia Peeples
.
9th Anniversary Show
On January 30, 2008, The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball celebrated their 9th anniversary. At the show,
director-choreographer Adam Shankman
was given an affectionate tribute and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Kenny Ortega
.
Video
Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.- History :...
, music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
, and film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
). The show is run in Hollywood, with satellite choreographer’s balls in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, and Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
The show is considered the dance community's ultimate competitive venue for choreographers to perform or display their work.
Origin
The show was created by Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
choreographers' Carey Ysais and Paulette Azizian in 2000 to give working choreographers and dancers a venue where they could have free artistic expression without the constraints of an artist
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, a director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, or a script
Script
Script may refer to:Computing* Script , a small program written for a command interpreter or another scripting language* script , a tool that records a tty session* SCRIPT/VS, a text formatting language developed at IBM...
. Ysais modeled the show after a similar choreographer showcase that had run at Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
's Glam Slam nightclub
Glam Slam
"Glam Slam" is a song by Prince, and the second single from his 1988 album, Lovesexy. The title originates from the sexual quote "Wham, bam, thank you, ma'am". The song has sexual overtones with a spiritual undertone and fits the Lovesexy theme of integrating God and sex. The song is complex...
in Los Angeles in the 1990s.
Shows and Performance Types
In order to be on the show, choreographers have to submit video tapes of their work in advance and/or audition, with established and elite choreographers given free access.Performances include funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
, tap dancing, modern
Modern dance
Modern dance is a dance form developed in the early 20th century. Although the term Modern dance has also been applied to a category of 20th Century ballroom dances, Modern dance as a term usually refers to 20th century concert dance.-Intro:...
, ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, lyrical dance
Lyrical dance
Lyrical dance is a fusion of ballet with jazz and contemporary dance techniques.You can also get lyrical gymnastics which is gymnastics to music. It has a dance influence to it....
, spoken word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
, and performance art
Performance art
In art, performance art is a performance presented to an audience, traditionally interdisciplinary. Performance may be either scripted or unscripted, random or carefully orchestrated; spontaneous or otherwise carefully planned with or without audience participation. The performance can be live or...
. Each show has up to 14 choreographers and/or their dancers who are given "five minutes of freedom" to work artistically and perform before their peers.
Each performance (i.e., "piece") in the show is similar to a mini-musical, with an overall theme, props, costumes, and dance styles. Virtually any kind of dance music might be played or various music styles combined. However, many pieces are known for being edgy and provocative.
Some choreographers use the show for dance experimentation.
Success
Talent agentTalent agent
A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, authors, film directors, musicians, models, producers, professional athletes, writers and other people in various entertainment businesses. Having an agent is not required, but does help the artist in getting jobs...
s for movie, music, and television productions regularly attend The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball shows searching for talent. Many dancers get industry work after performing at the show. It is estimated that up to "30 percent of participating dancers get bookings" as a result of of being in a Choreographer Ball show.
The show often includes special guests and appearances by many of the top dancers and choreographers including luminaries such as Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
, Travis Payne
Travis Payne
Travis Payne is an American choreographer, director, and producer. He is best known for working with Michael Jackson as the choreographer for This Is It until Jackson's death. Payne also served as the associate producer for This Is It, and along with the director, Kenny Ortega, was extensively...
, Kenny Ortega
Kenny Ortega
Kenneth John "Kenny" Ortega is an American producer, director, and choreographer. He is known for directing the High School Musical trilogy and Michael Jackson's This Is It concert tour.-Life and career:...
, and Wade Robson
Wade Robson
Wade Jeremy William Robson is an Australian dance prodigy, director, producer, songwriter, and award-winning choreographer. He began performing as a dancer at the age of five. He has directed music videos and world tours for numerous music artists such as 'N Sync and Britney Spears...
. The audience is usually populated with many of the top song writers
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and musical acts in the entertainment business.
Regular hosts
Master of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
include:
- Lisa Joann ThompsonLisa Joann ThompsonLisa Joann Thompson is an American dancer, choreographer, actress, and model who was a Warrior Girl, Laker Girl, Fly Girl, Motown Live Dancer, and Backup dancer to some of the most prominent artists in the musical industry...
(In Living ColorIn Living ColorIn Living Color is an American sketch comedy television series, which originally ran on the Fox Network from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Brothers Keenen and Damon Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the program. The show was produced by Ivory Way Productions in association with 20th Century...
, Fame L.A.Fame L.A.Fame L.A. was an MGM U.S. television series from 1997-1998. It told the story of a drama/dance school in Los Angeles where students honed their talents while overcoming various personal problems. It starred Christian Kane, Rosalyn Sanchez, and William R. Moses. Its producers included Patricia...
, & Motown Live) - Affion CrockettAffion CrockettAffion Crockett is an actor, writer, dancer, rapper, comedian, music producer, and director, and maker of YouTube videos. Affion began his career as a dancer at age 10, winning breaking and popping contests with his older brother...
(Def Comedy JamDef Comedy JamDef Comedy Jam is a HBO television series produced by Russell Simmons. The series had its original run from July 1, 1992 to January 1, 1997. The show returned on HBO's fall lineup in 2006. Def Comedy Jam helped to launch the careers of several African-American stand-up comedians...
, NYPD BlueNYPD BlueNYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan...
, Dance FlickDance FlickDance Flick is a 2009 American comedy directed by Damien Dante Wayans, written by his uncles, the Wayans Brothers, and starring Damon Wayans, Jr., and Shoshana Bush. The film is a spoof of the popular dance film genre...
, & In the Flow with Affion CrockettIn the Flow with Affion CrockettIn the Flow with Affion Crockett was a sketch comedy television series starring Affion Crockett and produced by Jamie Foxx, MADtv co-creators Fax Bahr and Adam Small, Arrested Developmemt creator Mitch Hurwitz and Two and a Half Mens Eric and Kim Tannenbaum.Taped in the middle of 2010, it was...
) - Carey Ysais, Director/choreographer and founder of Choreographer's Ball
Awards
Various choreographer awards are generally given at the anniversary shows including Lifetime Achievement Awards.11th Anniversary Show
On January 2, 2010, The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball celebrated their 11th anniversary. At the show, choreography agent Julie McDonald
Julie McDonald (agent)
Julie McDonald is a talent agent and co-founder of McDonald Selznick Associates , an agency headquartered in Hollywood, California, that represents dancers, choreographers, stage directors, and production designers. In the 1980s, McDonald worked as a ballet and modern dancer and owned a dance...
was honored for being a pioneer of dance representation and a friend, helper, and agent to many choreographers for over 25 years. The award was presented to her by one of her first clients, Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
.
10th Anniversary Show
On February 4, 2009, The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball celebrated their 10th anniversary. At the show, Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen
Deborrah Kaye “Debbie” Allen is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities...
was honored for her innumerable contributions to the art of dance and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Nia Peeples
Nia Peeples
Virenia Gwendolyn "Nia" Peeples is an American R&B and dance music singer and actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Nicole Chapman on Fame...
.
9th Anniversary Show
On January 30, 2008, The Carnival: Choreographer's Ball celebrated their 9th anniversary. At the show,
director-choreographer Adam Shankman
Adam Shankman
Adam Michael Shankman is an American film director, producer, dancer, actor, and choreographer. He has been a judge on the television program So You Think You Can Dance since Season 3. He began his professional career in musical theater, and was a dancer in music videos for Paula Abdul and Janet...
was given an affectionate tribute and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Kenny Ortega
Kenny Ortega
Kenneth John "Kenny" Ortega is an American producer, director, and choreographer. He is known for directing the High School Musical trilogy and Michael Jackson's This Is It concert tour.-Life and career:...
.