Bob Fosse’s birthday was June 23rd and National Dance Day is July 29th, so we thought we’d take a moment to discuss the importance of Bob Fosse to the dance and musical theatre industry.
Who is Bob Fosse? Bob Fosse was an actor, director, performer, and choreographer born in 1927, who grew up engulfed in the dance industry in Chicago, Illinois. He is most known for his unique and influential style of jazz dance.
Fosse Technique. Bob Fosse’s style of dance was heavily shaped by dancing in cabarets when he was a performer. It includes a lot of angular lines, and movements that would otherwise not be included in traditional jazz technique, such as turned in knees or forward-rolled shoulders.
Fosse’s Influence. Bob Fosse has won numerous Tony, Emmy, and Academy awards for his choreography, including the film “Cabaret”, the musical “Pippin”, and so many more. His choreography and technique is still taught today, and is an important part of a musical theatre or jazz dancer’s repertoire. Check out the original cast of Pippin below!
Watch some Fosse! Below are some clips of Bob Fosse style technique – take note of the unique shapes and lines his choreography highlights.
Written by: Scarlett Pigeaud