The Documentary Podcast Jason Gilkison: Choreographer for Strictly Come Dancing
Feb 23, 2026
Jason Gilkison, renowned choreographer behind global TV dance spectacles and Burn the Floor alum, shares his creative process. He talks planning huge group numbers, teaching professionals efficiently, adapting choreography for cameras, costume collaboration, and modernising ballroom with same-sex partnerships. Short, energetic insights into the high-pressure world of televised finales.
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Choreography As Television Storytelling
- Jason treats the Strictly finale as a TV storytelling problem, not just a dance routine.
- He aims to translate live dance energy into television by designing sequences that read clearly on screen and set up the finalists' entrance.
Map Dancer Logistics Before Choreographing
- Plan logistics first by mapping who can be in each section and noting injuries or limits.
- Jason marks pros with asterisks for injuries and groups dancers by compatible skill sets before creating steps.
Preserve Play Time Under Deadline
- Keep a playful exploratory phase even under tight deadlines to avoid repeating past work.
- Jason 'plays' with ideas and sketches influences (painting, fashion, old videos) before locking choreography.