The Journey to Associate Director and Choreographer… and Beyond

An Industry Guide for Practitioners and Creatives

Richard J. Hinds

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2026
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781350578814
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Dance

For every West End and Broadway musical that's running in London and New York, as well as shows across the world and on tour, a team of associate creatives is behind the scenes keeping them alive. But how does someone become this multi-faceted role, and what skills do they need in order to succeed?

Being an Associate Director or Choreographer is an all-encompassing role that requires diplomacy, creativity, organisation, tact and efficiency; this book is the first all-inclusive guide written to help aspiring and practising creatives find their way into this vital part of the theatre industry ecosystem.

Learn from an industry professional with years of experience in the field, and gain insight into every aspect of the associate role. Whether you are a young creative looking to work in the field or a seasoned professional looking to make the transition, this book will be accessible and relevant to all.

Addressing the practical skills necessary to succeed in the role - from creating your own content to networking tips and advice on building relationships with fellow creatives – the core of this book takes you through what it is like 'on the job', from the rehearsal room, to opening night and beyond.

Discover how to make working tables, charts and diagrams to help maintain a show, handle cast changes, work with understudies and swings as well as replicate the work in different circumstances time after time, within a specific professional brief.

Combining industry expertise and practical advice from the best associates working in theatre today this much-needed guide ends by looking at how you can successfully become your own creative and use the skills discussed to flourish as a director or choreographer in musical theatre.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Halftitle page
• THE JOURNEY TO ASSOCIATE
• Title page
• Copyright page
• CONTENTS
• LIST OF FIGURES
• FOREWORD
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• PART ONE PREPARING FOR THE JOB
• PART TWO ON THE JOB (MUSICALS)
• PART THREE ON THE JOB (PLAYS)
• PART FOUR INHERITING A SHOW AS AN ASSOCIATE
• PART FIVE BROADWAY vs. REGIONAL THEATRE
• PART SIX EXPERIENCES AROUND THE WORLD
• PART SEVEN CONTRACTS
• PART EIGHT BECOMING YOUR OWN DIRECTOR AND/OR CHOREOGRAPHER
• PART NINEIN CONCLUSION
• GLOSSARY
• INDEX