This study is a written part of the Turku University of Applied Sciences' Dance Teacher Degree / Bachelor of Dance thesis. The artistic choreographic part of the thesis includes the musical choreographies performed by the amateur Theater Puro Mathilda Wrede -musical and the collaboration with the musical director. The performances of the musical will be at the Turku Pentecostal Church between October 29 and November 7, 2021.

The dissertation researches the development of actors' movement expression utilizing Laban Movement Analysis. The aim of the work is to find out how Laban Movement Analysis can be used to develop the movement expression of amateur theater actors and how it can be used to construct the movement style of the characters’ musical role and their bodily expression. The starting points have also been the development of the author's choreographic skills by creating choreographies, considering the actors’ minimal dance background, and the development of pedagogical skills by supporting the actors' movement expression.

The dissertation is based on the utilizing Laban Movement Analysis theory in practical way. The dissertation highlights the author's own observations regarding the effects of using Laban Movement Analysis upon the development of the actors' movement expression. The choreographic process of the musical has been one of the source materials for the research. The dissertation shows that Laban Movement Analysis helped the development of the actors' movement expression as well as in the construction of the movement style of the musical roles. Exercises derived from Laban Movement Analysis supported the expression of movement qualities, which was particularly important for the choreographies of this musical production because different roles can emerge through movement expression. The thesis gave tools for teaching amateur dancers as well developed the author’s choreographic eye by creating musical choreographies that were simple enough for the actors' dance skills, but that supported the whole musical and took the story forward. The author will use the results as a choreographer and dance teacher in her future work.