User:Poetry514/sandbox

A choreopoem is a form of dramatic expression that combines poetry, dance, music, and song. The term was first coined in 1975 by 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. In Shange’s work, nontraditional spelling and vernacular are aspects of this genre that differ from traditional American literature. 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.

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

History
Influenced by Black women from the Black Arts Movement and the feminist arts movement, Shange creates a genre that is interdisciplinary and allows for performers to use all senses of the body. The Black Arts Movement was based on Black Nationalism that encouraged black separatism. The literature produced in this movement typically used Black vernacular, like Shange, and took up political and social issues that involved race. The feminist arts movement in the United States focused on using art of various mediums as acts against war and in favor of civil and queer rights. Shange tends to focus on “self-awareness, self-definition, and solidarity” in her choreopoems as they are common themes in her work. Although influenced by these movements, Shange felt as though Black women were not included. She uses her writing to elaborate on women of color’s experiences in her works with choreopoems while expanding the definition of black womanhood.

The inclusion of movement and dance in choreopoem is as essential as the poem itself. Shange believes that “knowing a woman’s mind & spirit had been allowed me, with dance I discovered my body more intimately than I had imagines possible”. Shange’s emphasis on dance is a result of her experience with African dance and movement classes. She was also exposed to Santeria through dance and music as it relates to African dance. Working closely with choreographer Dianne McIntyre, Shange was able to confront her childhood experiences through movement. McIntyre helped to choreograph for colored girls with Shange, as they wanted to convey awareness and community through dance.

Choreopoems by Ntozake Shange

 * for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf (1975)
 * A Photograph: Lovers in Motion (1977)
 * Boogie Woogie Landscapes (1979)
 * Spell #7 (1979)
 * Daddy Says (1989)

Choreopoems by other authors
Not in any particular order:
 * "XX Chromosome Genome Project" by S. Ann Jonhson
 * Langston by Tom Krusinski
 * "Love Soup" by Tom Krusinski
 * "You're All I Need To Get By" written by Sababu Norris and Dr. James Mumford, choreographed by Nina Butts, and performed by Hampton University's Department of Speech Communications and Theatre Arts (1985)
 * I Am A Black American by Peter Shaffer