Thursday, April 16, 2015
Personal Significance
As an aspiring choreographer and a lifelong dancer, Bob Fosse is an incredibly important figure to me. His work was innovative and exciting, and it still is today, 28 years after his death. His choreography has not lost its sparkle over time, which happens often when dances become "dated"; Fosse is not dated, he created his own style that is still utilized now. I also find him inspiring because he created incredible art while also struggling with mental health issues. Fosse felt, a large portion of the time, that everyone was against him. He felt untalented and disliked. I do not personally struggle with depression, but it is beautiful to see how he could use dance to express himself. Finally, on a very different note, I learned Fosse's choreography for Steam Heat when I was 12 years old, and my love for him has continued ever since.
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I think it is so interesting and sad that Fosse struggled with mental health issues feeling disliked. He was so immensely talented that it is heartbreaking that he didn't feel good enough. I think as artists we all have specific ways to express ourselves, and it's wonderful he had dance to utilize. Being in a production of The Pajama Game myself, I can personally say that his style of dance is extremely fun to take part in, albeit very difficult. It definitely has that sparkle that you speak of. And "Keep Calm and Fosse" is always a good motto to live by :)
ReplyDeleteI know a couple of choreographers that are inspired by Fosse, and they occasionally add a Fosse flair to their dances. As a choreographer have you ever drawn inspiration from his style at all, or is it more his story that inspires you? If it is his style, what Fosse-ism have you drawn from the most?
ReplyDeleteI couldn't imagine how hard it must have been to be struggling with depression, especially at that time when very little was known about mental health. Even to this day there is a significant stigma about mental health issues. Like you, I am also a great lover of Fosse. The first time I was introduced to his choreography was in high school where I also performed Steam Heat, but with simplified Fosse choreography. Also on a side note, since his choreography is so iconic, how well do you feel the movie version of Chicago (dir. Rob Marshall) follows his style and choreography?
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