In an historic first, the Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography (nominees here) has been moved to the Primetime Emmys, that is, the on-air show, widely broadcast this Sunday evening, giving the art of choreography yet another creative boost in Hollywood.
In past years, the choreography Emmy has been presented during the “Creative Arts” Emmys the week prior to the primetime show. It’s real evidence of the impact of the television dance competition programs, which are also making a difference for dance in our culture.
Notes Julie McDonald, the founding principal behind McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA), a dominant dance agency based in Los Angeles representing dancers and choreographers in the commercial arena:
Dance on television is enjoying a true resurgence. I love that people who were never exposed to dance now know the terminology! The craft of choreography is finally being appreciated although it is still misunderstood. Still, we have come a long way. Bravo!
The nominated choreographers have assembled to create an opening dance number around host Neil Patrick Harris.
Nominated for Best Choreography in a Television show:
- Derek Hough & Allison Holker, Dancing With the Stars
- Sonya Tayeh, So You Think You Can Dance
- Mandy Jo Moore, So You Think You Can Dance
- Napoleon D’umo & Tabetha D’Uomo, So You Think You Can Dance
- Travis Wall, So You Think You Can Dance
- Warren Carlyle, Carousel
One of Derek Hough’s nominated works here, reminiscent of Fred Astaire’s ceiling dance in “Royal Wedding” (1951):
Peruse the super-interesting list of prior winners for choreography in television broadcasts on Wikipedia.
Emmy Awards Sunday Sept 22 | east coast 8 pm; west coast 5 pm