Modern Dance 101

What is the dominating influence on modern dance?

Expressionism

Who is the mother of modern dance?

Isadora Ducan

What were Isadora Ducan’s Major Contributions?

1. Music (she used symphonies)

2. Movement (she used her body in the freest way)

3. Costumes (she wore a simple tunic, bare feet, and her hair down)

Who was inspired by a cigarette add?

Ruth st Denis

Who created the Denis Shawn School of dance with her husband?

Ruth St Denis

What was Denis Shawn School major contribution to dance?

It was the first school to have a standard curriculum

Who graduated from Denver University to become a minster?

Ted Shawn

How did Ted Shawn start his dancing career and develop his technique?

Began dancing to fight a disease

What other schools did Ted Shawn create?

Ted Shawn and his male dancers

and Jacobs Pillow school and retreat

What sports did Ted Shawn get his dancers from for Ted Shawn and his male dancers?

Baseball, Basketball, Football, and Wrestling

Who was a favorite of Ruth st Denis?

Doris Humphrey

Who created the 3 divisions of movement patterns and what are they?

Doris Humphrey

1. Opposition

2. Following

3. Unison

What are the 3 divisions of movement characteristics and who created them?

Doris Humphrey

1. Rest

2. Flow

3. Accent

Who danced at Denis Shawn on a scholarship at 19?

Charles Weidman

What works is Charles Weidman known for?

his abstract comedic dancing (satires)

Who was inspired by Ruth St Denis?

Martha Graham

What 2 themes did Martha Graham explore?

Greek Mythology and the old testament

What was Martha Graham’s technique based on?

the breathing cycle

What is Charles Weidman’s vocabulary based on?

Gravity

Who had a unique style that was a play between weight and weightless?

Jose Limon

What was Jose Limon’s popular quote?

“When you stop trying to be pretty you will be beautiful”

Who opened the first dance theatre to house all races?

Lester Horton

What was Lester Horton’s technique based on?

Fortify, stretch, and strengthen the body

Who is the Genius on the Wrong Coast?

Lester Horton

Who is credited with popularizing modern dance?

Alvin Ailey

What is the name of the group that Alvin Ailey created?

Revelations

What was the Revelations a tribute to?

humanity, health, faith, and survival

Where did Alvin Ailey’s company go on tour to?

Russia

What was the title that Alvin Ailey’s company got when they got back from Russia?

Cultural Ambassadors of the world

What was Alvin Ailey’s company based on?

talent and integrity regardless of race

How many works did Alvin and his company create, what was their style and technique?

79 works called Ballets

Ballet bottoms and modern tops

clean lines of ballet with the freeness of modern