THREE QUESTIONS WITH…
Matt Williams Choreographer of MCC Theater’s upcoming Carrie.

1. What is your process for developing a movement vocabulary for Carrie? Or, any show?

My choreographic process for Carrie started with text from the script and the novel. Certain words, sentences, or phrases would motivate a gesture. That gesture would in turn motivate a motif. Then that motif became a movement phrase. Creating movement in pre-production rehearsals was also key. MCC gave us space, time, and workshop labs to throw things up and see what worked. That was a wonderful luxury. We also enlisted the help of dancer-friends who donated their bodies and their time to us. Thanks dancers!

2. What is your favorite musical and why?

My favorite stage musical is likely Sweeney Todd. Why? If you’ve seen a good production of it, you know why. If you haven’t seen it, watch the video with George Hearn and Angela Lansbury. I also have to mention my favorite movie musical, American In Paris, because it is why I started dancing. There may never be another Gene Kelly before the world ends.

3. Do you have a favorite choreographer? A show that was particularly inspirational to you?

I really love Michael Kidd. His choreography is contemporary and relevant even today. His quirky combination of various dance forms made the most interesting and dynamic musical ballets. Watch his Crapshooter ballet from the Guys and Dolls film. He won five Tonys and he studied chemical engineering. Wish I could have met him. Bonus question: What was Michael Kidd’s real name? A) Alphonso D’Abruzzo B) Milton Greenwald C) Bernard Schwartz