Staging dances from Labanotation scores opens up a wealth of possibilities
for a dance company or school. Audiences can enjoy works from many eras
and of a wide variety of styles. Dancers and students are exposed to repertory
that can help them broaden their performance range. It is possible to
present well known works or works with historical significance. “New”
works or choreographers can be discovered.
Staging a work from a score can be easily arranged, and DNB will help
with each step along the way.
We Can
Help You...
Save
money. (Our stagers are efficient because the dance score is at their
fingertips; no time is wasted with memory losses. The answer to a question
is always the same.) Select
a work that suits your style. Contact
the choreographer or estate for permission. Provide
rehearsal music tapes, marked music scores, and videotapes (if available). Provide
costume, set, lighting, and other production information. Supply
a stager and/or style coach. Help
find sources for costume or set rentals. Point
you in the right direction for obtaining music rights.
The
DNB provided the score, resulting in the staging of the "lost" Balanchine
work, Symphony Concertante at American Ballet Theatre? Kurt
Jooss’ The Green Table was staged at Ohio State University,
accompanied by lectures, films and other events? The
Doris Humphrey Society was formed in her birthplace of Oak Park, Illinois
following the staging of many Humphrey works there? The
State Ballet of Missouri recently resurrected Antony Tudor's ballet Offenbach
in the Underworld fifteen years after its last performance?
Some of the Many Organizations That
Have Used Our Services
The
Paris Opera, La Scala, Joffrey Ballet, Frankfurt Ballet, Jacob’s
Pillow Dance Festival, Utah Repertory Dance, Ballet du Rhin, Kansas City
Ballet, Vienna Staatsoper, State Ballet of Missouri, Hamburg Ballet, Star
Dancers of Tokyo, New York Theatre Ballet, Los Angeles Dance Theater,
Ohio State University, SUNY Purchase, New Zealand School of Dance, Theater
Vassar College, Southern Methodist University, Hong Kong Academy of Performing
Arts, University of California at Irvine, Conservatoire National de Paris,
The Juilliard School, Walnut Hill School.
Restrictions
Notating
a work does not change the fact that the choreographer owns his/her dance
and has the right to restrict its use. The Staging section of our site
contains only works which, in general, have been cleared for performance;
however, most projects still require approval by the choreographer, usually
granted. Our Notated Theatrical Dances catalog includes all notated works,
even those for which permission may not be given.
Educational
Use
If a dance
or parts of a dance are used in the classroom or for research, there
is usually no charge other than the score rental; access to the dance
score is always at the discretion of the choreographer or his estate.
The great majority of scores are available for this type of use.
1.
What are the steps involved in the process of staging a work?
The first
step is to select a work to stage. Works in the DNB archive are listed
in our Notated Theatrical Dances Catalog.
You can also look through a listing of solos available
for staging and a listing of works by Doris
Humphrey. For help in selecting a work, contact our Director of Library Services. Our Director of Programs will lead you through the
process—from selecting an appropriate piece to negotiating the
contract particulars. It will be helpful if you can provide the following
information when you contact us:
Name of dance and choreographer
Name of contact person (if different from person making request)
Name of dance company or university department
Contact address, phone number and email
Name of stager
Length of contract requested
Date of first performance
Number of performances
Once a
work has been selected, the next step is to obtain permission from the
choreographer or estate. Most choreographers/estates make decisions
on a case by case basis so they will want to know something about you
and your company or school. It may be necessary to have the stager identified
before permission is granted. In most cases, DNB can assist with obtaining
permission. We can also help you find a stager if you do not already
have someone in mind. The choreographer or estate will also give you
information about the license and royalty fees.
If the choreographer or estate gives permission, a contract needs to
be negotiated. Sometimes the DNB executes the contract on behalf of
the artist, sometimes it needs to be negotiated directly with the artist
or designated representative. In all cases, it is the owner of the rights
to a work who sets the license and royalty fees. DNB has no control
over these fees.
Once a contract is completed, all the materials needed to mount a dance
will be sent to the stager. DNB will continue to be available throughout
the entire staging to provide additional information and advice.
After the work has been staged and performed, the DNB materials need
to be returned within 30 days of the final performance. The contract
also stipulates that DNB be sent copies of any videotapes produced and
a copy of the program. We will also be contacting you to see how the
experience went. We appreciate any information you can provide that
help us improve our services.
Please
note: The inclusion of a dance work in any of these listings does not
imply automatic permission to perform. Choreographers and estates usually
make decisions on a case by case basis. Director of Programs or Director of Library Services
can advise you on what works are generally made available and which
ones are usually restricted.
Costs can
vary widely, especially license and royalty fees. A listing of all the
costs involved, with some indication of range, can be found on the fees
page.
7.
How do I find a stager? Must I use a stager from the DNB? Can a faculty
member stage the work?
Dance Notation
Bureau can help you find a qualified stager. We have a pool of talented
stagers and can advise you on who would be most knowledgeable about
the style of your selected work.
It is not necessary to use a stager from the DNB, just as long as the
choreographer or estate approves the stager. If you have a qualified
stager on your company or school staff, we encourage you to use them.
8.
What is the difference between a stager and a style coach? Will I need
both?
A stager
teaches the dance from the beginning, teaching all the steps and preparing
the dancers for performance. A dance that is taught from Labanotation
is taught the same way that any dance would be taught. The stager arrives
at the rehearsals knowing the dance and teaches the dancers in the same
way as someone teaching from memory. However, a stager from score has
one big advantage - when a question arises, the score can be consulted
and a definitive answer is provided.
Sometimes the choreographer or estate may also require a style coach.
The coach comes in after the dancers have learned the steps from the
stager and works with them on the style of the piece, adding the qualities
needed for performance. A style coach may also be required if the stager
has little experience.
9.
What are the restrictions involved with a staged work?
Permission
from the choreographer or estate is required before a dance can be used
for any purpose, educational or performance. If there is to be a public
performance, a contract is needed and the choreographer sets license
and royalties fees. For help in determining if your use meets the definition
of public performance, see the public performance
information on our web site or contact Director of Programs.
10.
What is the best time frame for negotiating a staging? How far in advance
of rehearsal and performance should a contract be negotiated?
A staging
can be arranged at any time, but you need to allow time for the contract
negotiations before you want the rehearsals to start. The farther in
advance you contact the DNB, the better the chances that everything
can be arranged in a timely manner.
