A&H 2024 - Dancers & Choreographers Flashcards
This performer used special shoes to keep his body straight while he did his so-called “anti-gravity lean.” He also performed toe stands, side and circle slides, and kicks. Who was this so-called “King of Pop,” who also popularized the “Thriller” dance and the moonwalk?
(MICHAEL) JACKSON
This dancer lost both of her children when the car they were riding in rolled into Paris’s Seine River. She revolutionized modern dance by performing barefoot in long, flowing tunics. Name this woman, who died when her scarf wrapped around a car tire.
(ISADORA) DUNCAN
This dancer spent her later career with the Lyric Opera Ballet and Chicago City Ballet. Before that, she danced with the New York City Ballet, where her husband George Balanchine choreographed pieces for her. Name this prima ballerina of Native American ancestry.
(MARIA) TALLCHIEF
This man seemed to dance on the floor’s walls and ceiling in a scene from the movie Royal Wedding. He also co-starred in films like Swing Time, Top Hat, and Flying Down to Rio. Give the name of this onscreen partner of Ginger Rogers.
(FRED) ASTAIRE
This performer won a Best Actor Tony for Jelly’s Last Jam, and also earned a Tony nomination for choreographing that show. In a made-for-TV movie, he played Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, and in real life, he mentored young dancer Savion Glover. Who was this African-American tap dance great?
(GREGORY) HINES
This Mariinsky Theatre soloist joined the Ballets Russes as a dancer and choreographer. Before retiring at 29, he danced the male leads in Daphnis and Chloe, Scheherazade, and Petrushka. Identify this choreographer of The Afternoon of a Faun and The Rite of Spring.
(VASLAV) NIJINSKY
This Latvian-born dancer soloed with the Kirov Ballet before defecting in 1974. He spent about 13 years with a certain ballet company before founding the White Oak Dance Project. Name this long-time performer and artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre.
(MIKHAIL) BARYSHNIKOV
Nicknamed the “Black Venus,” this performer danced in New York City before joining the Revue Nègre. Her most famous number, which she performed in venues throughout Paris, was the danse sauvage. Who was this African-American superstar remembered for performing in a banana skirt?
(JOSEPHINE) BAKER
This deviser of the “Five Principles of Ballet” choreographed “The Dying Swan” for Anna Pavlova. He danced with Kirov Ballet before choreographing works for the Ballets Russes. Identify the choreographer of The Firebird and Petrushka.
(MICHEL) FOKINE
This man choreographed many of Stravinsky’s pieces, including Pulcinella [pool-chee- NEL-uh] and Song of the Nightingale. He worked for the Ballets Russes [bal-EY ROOS] before immigrating to America, where he collaborated with Lincoln Kirstein. Name this co-founder of the School of American Ballet and New York City Ballet.
(GEORGE) BALANCHINE
In 1952, this performer, choreographer, and director earned a special Oscar for his contributions to film musicals. He starred in Anchors Aweigh, On the Town, and An American in Paris. Who was this director and co-star of Singin’ in the Rain?
(GENE) KELLY
This student of Merce Cunningham and Martha Graham chose “Tank Dive” for her first publicly performed choreography. For two years, she served with Mikhail Baryshnikov as co-artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre. Give the name of this modern dancer and choreographer of Deuce Coupe and Movin’ Out.
(TWYLA) THARP
This man’s dance company performed works choreographed by Lester Horton, Pearl Primus, and Katherine Dunham. For that group, he choreographed Revelations and Blues Suite. Who was this African-American founder of the American Dance Theater?
(ALVIN) AILEY
