Dance History I Study Guide for Test #3

Dance History I Study Guide for Test #3

Key Figures and Contributions

George Balanchine

  • A significant figure in the dance world known for his innovative choreography and the establishment of the New York City Ballet.

  • Considered the foremost contemporary ballet choreographer in America, co-founder of New York City Ballet.

    • Emphasized classical ballet nuances, often merging with jazz and other styles.

  • Notable works include:

    • The Prodigal Son

    • Apollo

    • Orpheus

    • Agon

John Durang

  • Early American dancer and choreographer known for his contributions to the development of ballet in America.

Mary Ann Lee

  • A prominent 19th-century ballerina recognized for her performances in America.

Julia Turnbull & Augusta Maywood

  • Important figures in the 19th-century American ballet scene; contributed to the popularity of ballet in the United States.

George Washington Smith

  • Known for his role in early American ballet alongside others.

The Black Crook

  • A pivotal production in American musical theater that influenced the development of ballet and theatrical dance.

Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo

  • An influential ballet company founded by Sergei Diaghilev that brought European ballet to America.

  • Highlighted new collaborations between choreographers, visual artists, and composers.

Major Ballet Companies and Their Contributions

Lincoln Kirstein

  • An important figure in establishing American ballet, known for founding the New York City Ballet and promoting talent.

American Ballet Theatre (ABT)

  • Founded to promote classical ballet through innovative production and performance adaptations.

Key Figures in American Ballet Theatre

  • Richard Pleasant

  • Lucia Chase

  • Oliver Smith

  • Agnes de Mille: Known for notable productions such as Rodeo and Fall River Legend.

  • Highlighted the importance of narrative and American themes in ballet.

  • Oklahoma!: A Broadway musical that involved the integration of dance into storytelling.

Jerome Robbins

  • A choreographer celebrated for blending ballet with Broadway style.

  • Notable works include:

    • Fancy Free

    • Dances at a Gathering

The Cage & Afternoon of a Faun

  • Choreographed works emphasizing a contemporary view of ballet and storytelling.

Alternative Dance Companies and Innovators

Joffrey Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem

  • Important companies that expanded the repertoire and cultural influence of ballet.

Arthur Mitchell

  • Co-founder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, known for his work in advancing diversity in ballet.

Maria Tallchief

  • America's first major prima ballerina; contributed to the visibility of Native American dancers.

Jaques d'Amboise & Suzanne Farrell

  • Prominent dancers associated with Balanchine and the interpretation of his works.

Royal Ballet

  • A leading ballet company in the UK, noted for its classical repertoire and training methodologies.

Key Figures in Royal Ballet

  • Ninette de Valois: Pioneered ballet training in the UK.

  • Frederick Ashton: Known for creating dances that are more lyric and fluid.

  • Antony Tudor: Important for his psychological approach to choreography.

  • Margot Fonteyn: A celebrated ballerina known for her partnership with Rudolf Nureyev.

International Ballet Traditions

Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet

  • Major Russian ballet companies known for their rigorous training and dramatic performance style.

Isadora Duncan

  • Pioneering figure in modern dance; emphasized natural movement and individual expression.

Ruth St. Denis & Ted Shawn (Denishawn)

  • Pioneers in the early 20th-century dance movement that integrated Eastern and Western dance forms.

  • Established Jacob's Pillow as a dance school and festival venue.

Mary Wigman & Hanya Holm

  • Influential in expressing the emotional and physical aspects of dance through expressionist movement.

Martha Graham

  • One of the leading figures in the development of modern dance; her technique focused on the use of contraction and release.

    • José Limon and Charles Weidman: Key figures in modern dance, furthering Graham's techniques.

Helen Tamiris

  • Choreographer known for blending social themes with dance.

Lester Horton

  • Developed a modern dance technique that emphasized body awareness and movement quality.

Bella Lewitzky

  • Contributed to modern dance with her unique choreographic voice and emphasis on jazz influences.

Katherine Dunham

  • Known for her work in integrating African and Caribbean dance styles into modern choreography.

  • Noted for her anthropological background, having studied cultures and the origins of dance.

  • Contributed to Broadway reviews.

Alvin Ailey

  • Founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, celebrated for its diverse choreographic repertoire.

Alwin Nikolais

  • Revolutionized the use of visual design elements in dance, emphasizing the relationship between movement and the environment.

Avant-Garde Movement

  • A movement in dance emphasizing experimentation and breaking away from traditional forms.

Merce Cunningham

  • Known for his innovative techniques and ideas about chance and movement.

Paul Taylor

  • A prominent figure in contemporary dance, known for creating works that explore human relationships.

Pilobolus

  • A company known for its collaboration with diverse art forms, including theater and visual art.

Twyla Tharp

  • Choreographer who synthesized various styles and emphasized the accessibility of dance to a broader audience.