Lorin Latarro's Vision for 'Chess' Choreography

Julia Wagner · 2026-03-25

You know that feeling when you watch a dance number and it just clicks? Everything flows, every movement tells the story, and you forget you're watching choreography at all. That's the magic Lorin Latarro brought to the Broadway revival of 'Chess.' She didn't just create steps—she crafted a visual language that served the musical's complex narrative. Latarro approached 'Chess' with a clear philosophy: the choreography had to enhance the story, not distract from it. This wasn't about flashy tricks or technical showboating. It was about finding the physical truth of each character's journey. She understood what the production needed—and just as importantly, what it didn't. ### Finding Movement in the Mind Game 'Chess' presents a unique challenge. It's a musical about intellectual warfare, political intrigue, and emotional manipulation—all centered around a chess tournament. How do you translate cerebral conflict into physical expression? Latarro's solution was surprisingly intuitive. She focused on the tension between characters rather than literal chess moves. The choreography became about power dynamics, subtle manipulations, and the spaces between people. Dancers didn't mimic chess pieces—they embodied the psychological games being played. It's a lesson for any choreographer: sometimes the most powerful movement comes from what's happening beneath the surface. ### What the Choreography Didn't Need Here's where Latarro's restraint really shines. She resisted several tempting approaches that might have weakened the production: - No literal chess piece choreography (no knights moving in L-shapes across the stage) - No excessive athleticism just for the sake of impressing the audience - No dance breaks that interrupted the narrative flow - No movement that didn't serve character development This discipline is something every dance professional can learn from. In an era where viral dance moments often prioritize spectacle over substance, Latarro reminded us that the best choreography disappears into the story it's telling. ### The Collaborative Process Latarro worked closely with the director and musical team from the beginning. She attended early rehearsals, not just dance calls, to understand how actors were developing their characters. This integrated approach meant the choreography grew organically from the performances rather than being imposed on them. "The movement had to feel inevitable," she might say if we were chatting over coffee. "Like it was the only possible physical expression of that moment in the story." That collaborative spirit extended to her dancers too. She created a vocabulary that respected their individual strengths while maintaining a cohesive visual style. The result feels both precise and spontaneous—a difficult balance to achieve. ### Lessons for Dance Professionals Whether you're running a studio, teaching classes, or creating your own work, there are valuable takeaways here: First, know your story's needs before you create a single step. What emotional beats need highlighting? What relationships need physical expression? What moments need stillness rather than movement? Second, trust that less can be more. A simple gesture performed with conviction often communicates more than a complicated sequence. Your audience's imagination will fill in the gaps if you give them the right cues. Finally, remember that choreography exists in service to something larger. It's not about showcasing your cleverest combinations—it's about making the entire production more powerful. When you approach your work with that mindset, you create something that resonates long after the curtain falls. Lorin Latarro's work on 'Chess' demonstrates how thoughtful, restrained choreography can elevate a production. It's a masterclass in serving the story first—a principle that applies whether you're working on Broadway or in your local studio. The next time you're creating movement, ask yourself: what does this moment truly need? And what could it do without? The answers might surprise you.