Summary - Modern Dance Tree Boxes PDF

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Modern Dance Tree Boxes...

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Major Figures in Modern Dance United States Isadora Duncan “Mother of Modern Dance”

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Dances inspired by nature & Greek culture o Reflected in costumes and poses Movements originated in ‘solar plexus’ Locomotors movements: runs, skips, hops, leaps Opened own school – The Isadorables Used conventional classical music and sought personal expression Traveled the world; had unconventional, tragic life Ted Shawn

Ruth St. Denis     

Former show girl – “Miss Ruth” Inspired to choreograph Traveled the world w/ female company Used “music visualization” Started the first university dance program

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Ruth’s husband. Created Denishawn, school and company that toured thorught the US and world Two of the most influential dancers/ choregraphers of the 20th c. came out of Denishawn – marth & doris

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Jacob’s Pillow  

Denishawn -Created by Ruth St. Denis & Ted Shawn

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Martha Graham The most influential modern dancer & choreographer of the 20th century Came from Denishawn Most influential modern dancer/ choreographer of 20th c. (181 dances) Developed contraction/release Established Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance & Martha Graham Dance Company, NYC – still in existence Psychological dramas – Greek mythology and Native American Indians/Pioneers Louis Horst – music director o Started tradition of composition study as integral to modern dance Produced the greatest number of influential & famous modern dancers & choreographers to date

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- Used “Music Visualization” (from St. Denis) Dancer/choreographer Used music visualization When disbanded, became Artistic Director or Jose Limon Dance Company Most famous work – The Shakers

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Hawkins School/ Erick Hawkins Dance Company  Erik Hawkins Technique  Emphasis on ease, flow & circular movements Company Danced into his 80s!

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-Humphrey’s Partner Doris Humphrey’s artistic partner Co-founder of the company/school Choreographed/had own company after Humphrey’s company disbanded

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-Began (both left Denishawn) 1928 Philosophy & technique: “Fall and Recovery” Emphasis: gravity, balance, breath suspension

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- Student of Humphrey-Weidman. Stuent of Humphrey-Weidman and a powerful performer Mexica De all and Recover” 

José Limón

Erick Hawkins -1 male dancer in Graham’s Company Married Martha/divorced Developed own company 1951 School & company still in existence: NYC

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Humphrey-Weidman School of Dance and Company

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Charles Weidman

Doris Humphrey

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Founded by Ted Shawn Summer camp/ performance venue Still in existence Lee, MA

John Cage (Musician)

Avant-garde composer Lifetime partnership w/ Merce Cunningham

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Merce Cunningham Dance Company 

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Developed Cunningham Technique o Worked w/ abstraction o Worked with ‘dance by chance’ Believed you need to be in class & study their techniques all day

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May O’Donnell 

Paul Taylor

Graham’s 1st lead dancer Choreographers who explored more abstract themes in dance Unlike Graham demeanor; “less dark” Influenced by Americana (Native Americans/Pioneers); by nature Developed own technique based on “contraction/release” o May O’Donnell Technique Toured 2 years with Jose Limon o From the Doris Hmphrey ‘camp’ Had own company from 1950 – 1988

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-Student of Graham’s & member of Cunningham’s company Created world renowned company still in existence o Paul Taylor Company Considered on the forerunners of post-modernism Uses both traditional and postmodern work Uses lighter and/or comic themes and motifs, at times

Rudolf Von Laban -“Father of German Modern Dance”

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Germany major force in Modern Dance – WWII Labanotation o System of dance notation o Vertical staff (opposite of musical staff) Effort Shape o A system of movement analysis o Four elements: space, weight, time, flow o Heavy/light; fast/slow; direct/indirect

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Mary Wigman 

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-Student of Laban “Expressionistic” o Theory or practice in art of seeking to depict the artists subjective responses to objects and events o Dark, intenses and disturbing themes o Not concerned with “entertaining” (similar to Twyla Tharp) Started school in Germany o Gave rights to Hanya Holm to bring in the U.S. (WWII) Absolute Dance Theory: o Dance exists independent of music w/ emphasis on dance o Music – percussion instruments for music

Hanya Holm   

- Student of Mary Wigman’s Student of Mary Wigman’s Established a Wigman School in U.S. o Combined Wigman’s theories with her own Eventually, moved into Musical Theater o Broadway choreographer  Kiss Me Kate  My Fair Lady

Pearl Primus Katherine Dunham   

Dancer, Choreographer, Anthropologist Produced the 1st Black Dance Concert (Chicago)/ Negro Rhapsody Combined Native Caribbean and Modern Dance Appeared in many musical theater productions and move musicals o Influenced by Jazz Dance

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-Dancer, Choreographer, Anthropologist -Explored African and Caribbean dance Student of Graham, Humphrey, Weidman and Holm Credited with bringing black concert dance to the forefront Primarily focused on African dance and subject matter Contrast to Dunham (flowing, smooth), dynamic and athletic

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Lester Horton 

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Steve Paxton Judson Dance Theater    

Contact Improvisation (4 elements) Weight-bearing or sharing Weight resistance or counterbalance Set the table Negative space

- West Coast dancer and choreographer Lester Horton Dance Company 1930’s o Strong focus/inspiration:  Native American Indian culture Developed “Horton Technique” o Emphasis: strong torso, flat back, lateral movement o Linear symmetrical/asymmetrical use of arms/legs

Alvin Ailey   

Pilobolus

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Partnering as an example of 4 elements of Contact Improvisation

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Student of Lester Horton Dancer/choreographer Established school/company still in existence today – NYC Concern in making dances there were accessible to the public Combined modern dance, jazz & world dance to create unique style Famous works: Cry & Revelations

Garth Fagan -

Student of Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey Guest Choreographer for the Ken Dance Ensemble 2014-15...