‘The Doors Didn’t Open Easily’ on Her Path to ‘Cinderella’

As an ensemble member in Broadway productions of Miss Saigon, Guys and Dolls, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Hunter later advanced to the position of dance captain, who is responsible for teaching each character’s choreography.

When she was performing on stage in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” in 2002, director Rob Ashford asked her to work with him on choreography.

‘The Doors Didn’t Open Easily’ on Her Path to ‘Cinderella’

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‘The Doors Didn’t Open Easily’ on Her Path to ‘Cinderella’

Ashford said over the phone, “I knew JoAnn would be key. She was frequently the most intelligent and talented dancer in the group.

Hunter was uneasy following a recent divorce. She heard “aarghhhh,” and then she said, “Aaarghhhh.” But she had to make an effort to not let the chance go by.

She is a “true problem solver” and “a terrific collaborator,” according to Ashford. The choreographer’s role in a musical is to enter the director’s world and translate that vision into their own work. She was continuously thinking about the goals of the presentation.

Characters

Hunter’s ability to “understand why the steps are there, what the characters are trying to accomplish through movement, and how movement is in conversation with other elements of the show, even though at that point she hasn’t made up moves,” according to “Spring Awakening” director Michael Mayer, is one of her greatest gifts.

Hunter was engaged by Michael Mayer in 2006 to supervise the choreography for Bill T. Jones.

Hunter’s first experience with freelancing for a musical was a 2008 U.S. tour of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” Hunter recalled saying, “I’m never going to find out unless I try this,” in that moment. If I’m terrible, at least no one will have seen it.

Hunter hesitated before answering the question of whether she believed that women were more likely to experience this kind of insecurity.

When she mentioned that, she was on point. The author claims that “men typically try things without considering if they have the experience.” She claimed that the dearth of female choreographers on Broadway did little to boost her self-assurance.

While there aren’t many female choreographers on Broadway right now, that’s starting to change thanks to Camille A. Brown, Michelle Dorrance, Ellenore Scott, and Ayodele Casel, who are all scheduled to choreograph upcoming Broadway shows. Hunter thought that there were more women in musical theatre today.

Last Words

She described it as “amazing” that as a dancer, she had only ever collaborated with Tina Landau and Susan Stroman. These concerns and ethnic diversity are currently at the top of our minds. I’m hoping it’s more than just a fad. Thanks for reading our article ‘The Doors Didn’t Open Easily’ on Her Path to ‘Cinderella’.