Interview with Rahmier Dailey - Choreographer

Interview with Rahmier Dailey - Choreographer

** Choreographer as Project Manager

It was such a pleasure to grab a few moments with one of my favorite local choreographers Rahmier Dailey.  He’s been performing for many years, even though he’s still very young and has such a long career ahead of him.  He was gracious enough to chat with me about his work as a choreographer and how similar that work is to project management.  For more information about Rahmier and his work, check out his Facebook page here.  Our lovely conversation went something like this:

LT:  How long have you been a choreographer and when was your first project?

RD:  My first project was in 2008 and it was for a dance program in high school.  Seniors are asked to choreograph a piece, but no one really volunteered, so I became an “accidental choreographer” because the faculty needed another piece so I stepped up.  I had three different pieces to choose from and they opted for my jazz character piece. 

LT:  How was that experience for you?  What did you learn from it? 

RD:  At the time I was so nervous because I was shy and didn’t know how to communicate clearly what I needed people to do.  Looking back, because I didn’t take control and manage it according to my vision, I’m actually unhappy with the piece.  To say the least, I lost control of that project and while the outcome was good I learned a valuable lesson in how to better manage my work.

LT:  Since then how many pieces have you choreographed?

RD:  In addition to choreographing for schools and cheerleader teams, I also work with a number of artists so the number is somewhere around 20 pieces.

LT:  How do you get clients? 

RD:  All the clients come to me through referral, so I have been blessed not to market myself as yet, but that’s something I will do at some point.

LT:  So let’s talk about the process.  Who provides the vision?

RD:  When working with artists, the artists provide the vision.  You have to sit down and communicate with them and go through the music track list, drill down into their vision and then bring that to life.  With dance companies and cheer teams, often it’s my vision and so these are distinctly different approaches. 

LT:  How do you manage the process? 

RD:  Overall I’m responsible for bring the artists vision to fruition, but you have to manage the dancers, from the point of audition to completion I am managing the blueprint.  I am managing the actual choreography; actual talent, staging and wardrobe.  I’m also responsible for holding the artist meetings then with staff like lighting techs, venue management, artist management and also dancers.

Artist management first

Over the course of the project I will continually meet with the artist and management throughout the process to ensure their vision is being executed and brought to life.  Meeting with the dancers is like tearing off bandages because you’re dealing with a lot of personalities and different levels of talent so it can be difficult but that’s why we must meet on a regular basis.

LT:  That sounds intense.  So who handles payment and rate negotiation?

RD:  In my case, I have a manager who handles my contract negotiations and it’s important for us to get paid for our craft.  I have a set rate, but I am flexible based on the budget of the artist or event.  With cheer teams, it’s based on a salary so once I’m secured; I am paid based on that.  With schools, I also offer a flat rate but that process is six months long.  For example, I’m there sixth months before the show to start the process and stay in touch with the teacher and then I don’t return until three months later to finish, clean and work with staging and lighting, etc.

Additionally, sometimes I’m responsible often for making sure that talent is paid, meals are provided.

LT:  What’s on the horizon for you? 

RD:  I’m moving in the direction from behind the scenes and I’m signing to an up and coming Management Company and starting a pop group, so Atlanta should be on the lookout for us releasing something soon.

LT:  Sounds like great things are coming for you and I’m super excited about what the future holds.  I know it will be bright.  Thanks for taking time for me today and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with you.

RD:  Ditto and thanks for talking to me.