Welcome to another installment of our Working in Theater series. This series in which we interview people working in different theater related jobs runs perodically on Saturdays. Today we will be speaking with Choreographer, Paul McGill (PM). Paul started his career as an actor appearing in such shows as the 2004 Revival of La Cage Aux Folles, the revivial of A Chorus Line and in Memphis as well as movies like the documentary Every Little Step, the 2009 version of Fame, and Man on a Wire. He later moved into choreography. He was the associate Choreographer of Hedwig and the Angy Inch on Broadway as well as the Choreograper of several Off Broadway shows among other things.
What is your job title?
PM: Choreographer
How would you describe what you do?
PM: I help a story forward with movement of whichever variety is called for in each specific moment of each specific show.
How did you come to be doing the job that you do?
PM: I started out as a Broadway dancer and during the show Spider-Man, I decided I wanted to live my life fully in the way I felt I best served the art form.
Did you have to get any special training for your job?
PM: It’s constant life training. It seems to be on-the-job training every single time. I remain curious. I'm actively thinking in the best way I know how: as a choreographer/director.
What is the best part of your job?
PM: Bringing people together and cultivating a collective confidence in their movement to help them better tell our story.
What is the worst part of your job?
PM: The worst part is navigating through any resistance or mistrust from a collaborator.
What are some of your favorite shows that you have worked on?
PM: The Music Man at Asolo Rep, Georgia McBride Off Broadway and
Geffen Playhouse, Hedwig on Broadway (Associate Choreographer)
Geffen Playhouse, Hedwig on Broadway (Associate Choreographer)
What show if any would you loved to have worked on?
PM: Moulin Rouge, Newsies, Harry Potter, Movin’ Out, Curious Incident, Once on this Island, Beetlejuice, Wicked, the Beatles’ LOVE Show... to name a few.
Who are some other people in your field that you admire?
PM: Of course Jerry Robbins, Fosse, and Ron Field, but also today’s Christopher Wheeldon, Justin Peck, and Steven Hogget.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to do what you do?
PM: What Rob Ashford told me: “You want to be a choreographer? Choreograph.”
We thank Paul for taking the time to answer our questions.
Tune in tomorrow for this week's Sunday Scoop.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to do what you do?
PM: What Rob Ashford told me: “You want to be a choreographer? Choreograph.”
We thank Paul for taking the time to answer our questions.
Tune in tomorrow for this week's Sunday Scoop.
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