Jerome Robbins

Question 1

How did Robbins contribute to the Development of AJD

Answer 1

o Blending of classical ballet and jazz dance
o Theatrical and character driven works
o Used drama, music and dance as ways to drive the narrative and progress the plot ‘concept musical’
o American themes reflective of American social context
o Works were accessible and relatable to Americans
o Collaboration between artists (composers/directors/lyricists)
o Controversial as a practitioner – Jewish/Communist ideologist/homosexual)
o Awareness of a variety of Cultural traditions that are represented in his works

Question 2

Jerome Robbins 1904

Answer 2

Emigrated from Poland to USA with family

Question 3

What did Robbins do in the great depression (1935)

Answer 3

had to leave university as his family were unable to support his education.

Question 4

Who did Robbins get an apprenticeship with?

Answer 4

• Gluck-Sandors company
  = Ballet trained, interested in modern dance, but also wanted to worked in Broadway, Vaudeville and Burlesque

Question 5

What did Robbins do in 1940?

Answer 5

• Joined the American Ballet Theatre
• he started out as Corps de Ballet then as a soloist (after working in Agnes de Milles ‘Three Virgins and a Devil’)

Question 6

What did Robbins have a desire to do

Answer 6

He had a desire to choreograph a ballet himself using American themes/music .
- however his ideas were seen to be too grandiose for the perennially strapped company to consider.

Question 7

What did Robbins create during his time at ABT?

Answer 7

Fancy Free 1944

Question 8

Choreographic influences - Broadway?

Answer 8

• robbins heavily influenced by Broadway, where dance was blended with storytelling and character development

Question 9

Choreographic influences - Classical ballet

Answer 9

• he had a foundation in classical ballet from his time at ABT and NYC Ballet
• taught by George Balanchine who added a contemporary modern style to his classical ballet works
• Ballet influence can be seen in ‘Fancy Free’

Question 10

Choreographic Influences - culture?

Answer 10

• influenced by cultural influences, allowing him to choreograph works around the cultural themes and styles of dance.
• Agnes de Mille was a choreographer who introduced indigenous dance into her works, leading her to influence Robbins to explore cultural and ethnic themes

Question 11

Choreographic Influences - Modern dance?

Answer 11

-modern dance influence of Graham who used emotion in her works, as well as angular and sharp movements in her choreo

Question 12

Stylistic features - combination of styles?

Answer 12

• Robbins combined ballet, jazz and pedestrian movements to create dance that conveyed the restless, dynamic energy of youth

Question 13

Stylistic features - Jazz?

Answer 13

Jazz technique:
1. bent knees, with low centre of gravity
2. explosive energy
3. changes in direction
4. syncopated movements
5. gestures
6. emphasis on down meats of music

Question 14

stylistic features - ballet

Answer 14

• use of classical ballet
• ‘fancy free’

Question 15

Stylistic features - structure of works

Answer 15

• choreograph works based on American themes using a narrative structure
• robbins would tell stories through dance
  e.g. ‘West Side Story’ Robbins used distinct movement vocabulary to differentiate the two gangs and show their cultural backgrounds

Question 16

Stylistic features - pedestrian movement

Answer 16

• use of pedestrian movement, used to portray real life people and to give sense of natrualism in his works
• seen in ‘West Side Story’

Question 17

Stylistic features - formations and space

Answer 17

• use of innovative formations and space in his works, added complexity