modern dance

modern dance including chapter ten, lecture video, interviews one and two

what is modern dance in opposition to

ballet

turnout requirement

none, modern dance uses natural body movement

what type of shoes

bare feet

why did african americans embrace this dance idiom

it allowed for freedom and expression, used to express reality as understood by the artist, therapeutic, emphasize triumph

How is philosophy involved

used philosophical motivation to use movements related to natural body autonomy

Martha Graham

European American modern dancer

“Mother of Dance”

Martha Graham

Martha Graham movements

contraction and release, inhale and exhale, life comes from the pelvis so movement should as well

Martha Graham contribution

added people of color to her company during a time of limitation

Doris Humphrey

European american dancer with movement focus on state of equilibrium

Doris Humphrey contribution

“fall and recovery” style of dance

Three periods of modern dance

Early, Middle, Late

Early Period

time of exploration, trying to find and nurture types of movement

Early Period and African American

already saw benefit of this natural movement, lots of use of African movement and dance

African American Legends of Early Period

Katherine Dunham and Pearl Primus

Katherine Dunham Focus

Afro-Caribbean movement, especially haiti

Pearl Primus Focus

continent of Africa

Dunham Technique

strong movement, specific and detailed execution of movement, strength and stamina needed, progression

progression

one movement phases into another as they travel across the floor

Pearl Primus signature works

“Negro Speaks of Rivers” and “Strange Fruit”

Katherine Dunham signature works

“Shango”

Similarities between Dunham and Primus

grant recipients, african american female anthropologists, company founders, owners of dance academies, teachers/dancers/choreographers, highly respected by cultures they researched, civil rights activists

Middle Period

less disdain between modern dance and ballet as they both recognize validity of each other and enhanced each other

African Americans in Middle Period

only doing one form of dance not economically advantageous, learned multiple forms

Talley Beauty

middle period dancer, one of the original nine Dunham dancers, founded own dance studio

Talley Beauty works

“Negros Dancing Evening”, “The Mourner’s Bench”, “The Road to Phoebe Snow”, “Southern Landscape”

Talley Beauty Signature Piece

“The Mourner’s Bench”

Donald McKayle

Middle Period dancer, looked up to Primus and got to study under her, studied under Martha Graham, was on Broadway

Donald McKayle Works

“Bless You All”, “House of Flowers”, “West Side Story”, “Games”, “Rainbow Round My Shoulder”, “Golden Boy”, Disney’s “Bedknobs and Broomsticks”, “Sophisticated Lady”

Donald McKayle Signature Work

“Rainbow Round My Shoulder”

Walter Nicks

Middle Period dancer, certified teacher of the Dunham Technique

Walter Nicks Works

“Games”, “Jump, Jim Crow”

Eleo Pomare

Middle Period dancer, Born in Columbia, raised in Harlem. Was in Europe until invited back for the march on washington and was impressed by the civil rights movements so he stayed

Eleo Pomare Works

“Blues For The Jungle”, “Junkie”, “Desenamorados” and “Roots”

Eleo Pomare Signature Work

“Junkie”

Rod Rodgers

Middle Period Dancer, studied with dance legends and was member of Eric Hawkins Dance Company, choreographed in honor of MLK jr

Rod Rodgers signature work

“Rhythm Ritual”

Mary Hinkson

first African American woman in Graham dance company, received Martha Hill Dance Award and broke racial barriers in civil rights movement

Mary Hinkson Works

“Carmina Burana”, “Figure in the Carpet”, “Rivercare”

Carmen de Lavallade

Middle Period Modern Dancer, friend and influence to Alvin Ailey, did both ballet and modern

Carmen de Lavallade Works

Prima Ballerina with Metropolitan Opera, “House of Flowers” on Broadway

Alvin Ailey

Middle Period dancer, made sure his company was a haven for emerging dancers to produce work when they couldn’t afford it

Alvin Ailey Signature Work

“Revelations”

Robert Battle

current artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre

Judith Jamison

Middle Period dancer, known for being tall, worked with Alvin Ailey before founding own company the Jamison Project

Judith Jamison Signature Work

“Hymn”

International Association of Blacks In Dance (IABD)

Founded by Joan Myers Brown, Cleo Parker-Robinson, Ann Williams, and Jeraldyne Blunden, help African American dancers internationally, super important organization

PHILDANCO

Philadelphia Dance Company

Joan Myers Brown

Talented Middle Period Dancer, received manor honorary degrees, received award from Barack Obama, made safe space for dancers of color

Cleo Parker-Robinson

Middle Period dancer, “ambassador of love”, spiritual dancing of one spirit, many voices

Ann M Williams

Middle Period dancer, founding member of Dance Council and IABD

Lula Washington

Founded Lula Washington Dance Theater, Choreographed for AVATAR, and opened dance school providing free dance classes to youth called i do dance not drugs

Jeraldyne Blunden

middle period dancer, built one of nations leading performing dance companies Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

Denise Saunders-Thompson

middle period dancer, did a lot of non profit and for profit dance organizations, including former president and CEO of IABD

Modern Dance Attire

Earth tones, leotard and tights, bare feet, hair away from face

Late Period

Dance broke into two categories: traditional and experimental

Garth Fagan

Late period dancer, founded Bottom of the Bucket…But Dance Theater that had youth from all experience levels dancing, he received an award for his choreography in the Lion King

Garth Fagan signature work

“From Before”

Bill T Jones

late period dancer, went against traditional modern dance and used different sounds and gestures, dancers of different body types, and even people who were not dancers at all

Bill T Jones Signature Work

“Last Supper At Uncle Tom’s Cabin/the Promised Land”

Camille A Brown

late period dancer with background in music (clarinet), focuses on female gender

Camille A Brown Works

“Once On This Island”, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert!”, “The Evolution of A Secured Feminine”, Hell’s Kitchen musical

Camille A Brown Signature Work

“The Evolution of A Secured Feminine”

Kevin Iega Jeff

late period dancer, went to juliard in his teens, founded JUBILATION!

Dianne McIntyre

late period dancer focused on history and culture and how it relates to dance

Bebe Miller

late period dancer, founded Bebe Miller Dance Company, mixes humanity and dance with spatial design and unconventional movement

Bebe Miller Signature Work

“Going to The Wall”

Blondell Cummings

late period dancer, focuses dances on urban life experiences such as cooking or washing dishes

Blondell Cummings Signature Work

“Chicken Soup”

Ulysses Dove

late period dancer, work was highly dynamic, energetic, sense of urgency

Christopher Huggins

Former soloist of of Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, taught internationally, taught in UNLV in 2021

Urban Bush Women

all female dance company, intertwines contemporary dance, music, and text with spiritual traditions of african americans, very collaborative

Kyle Abraham

late period dancer, blends hip hop and contemporary, started own company called AIM (Abraham in Motion) that has ethnically diverse group of dancers

Dada Masilo

late period South African dancer, deconstructed ballet movements and the functionality of the traditional tutu

Fana Tshabalala

late period south african dancer, allowed participants to convey anguish to positive energy through organic movement