Modern Dance

Question 1

Isadora Duncan

Answer 1

Mother of Modern Dance
Rebel against oppression of human race and corseted ballet
Inspired barefoot dancing in Europe and America
Inspired by Greek architecture and sculpture
Feminist
Simple tunics/robes for costumes
Deep emotion in pieces
Used rhythmic sequences of simple movements
Performed to classic music
Influenced Diaghilev & Fokine

Question 2

Ruth St. Denis

Answer 2

Modern dance pioneer
Co-founder of the American Denishawn School of Dance
Was a skirt dancer then created pieces influenced by Oriental philosophies
Martha Graham was her pupils, also Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman

Question 3

Ted Shawn

Answer 3

Co-founder of American Denishawn School of Dance
One of first notable male pioneers of modern dance
Has innovative ideas of masculine movement
Founder and creator of Jacob’s Pillow
Created principle of Music Visualization in modern dance with Ruth

Question 4

Music Visualization

Answer 4

Concept where movement equivalents to timbres, dynamics and structural shapes of music in addition to its rhythmic base

Question 5

Denishawn

Answer 5

School of Dancing and Related Arts founded in 1915 in LA
Curriculum included Oriental dance, Spanish dance, American Indian, basic ballet
Renowned for influence on ballet and experimental modern dance
Branch schools of Denishawn opened around the country

Question 6

Jacob’s Pillow

Answer 6

Founded by Ted Shawn (after split from Denishawn/wife)
In Massachusetts
Oldest int’l acclaimed Summer dance festival in US
Has year-round community programs

Question 7

Mary Wigman

Answer 7

After WWII, was the most important German modern dance choreographer
Stocky, muscular dancer
Choreo was intense, even lyrical
Somber works that called attention to primitive drives

Question 8

Hanya Holm

Answer 8

Assistant of Wigman
Realized difference of America and ran own studio in US
Formed own company and choreographed for it»Trend was most important work
Created dances for Broadway

Question 9

Martha Graham Style and Technique

Answer 9

Technique based on breathed, contraction and release of torso, didn’t try to hide effort
Shapes were angular, sharp, strong
Trained dancers in her personal style

Question 10

Martha Graham Choreo

Answer 10

Themes dealt with struggles that shaped American culture
Vehicles for exploring human emotion and behavior
Dances about women
Used retrospective choreo.
Multiple dances to depict 1 personality

Question 11

Doris Humphrey

Answer 11

Was a Denishawn dancer
Focused on harmonious and noble side of humanity
Technique based on fall/recovery
Spiritual/moral person 
>>'Shakers' about religious sect
Wrote The Art of Making Dances

Question 12

Jose Limon

Answer 12

Lead in Humphrey’s company
Style reflected his Hispanic culture
Started his own company–Humphrey was artistic director
Choreo. was dramatic/turbulent
Did choreo. for ABT, Royal Danish Ballet, Joffrey

Question 13

Charles Weidman

Answer 13

Partnered with Doris Humphrey to create the Humphrey-Weidman Company
Known for wit/comedy in works
Choreo. for the company after Humphrey became sick

Question 14

Helen Tamiris

Answer 14

Influenced by American history (was Russian immigrant)
Considered 1st white choreo. to take black culture seriously
Choreo. showed concern for human significance and social justice
Chief choreo. for federal theatre
Broadway choreo. (Annie get your gun, showboat)
Advocate for arts during FDR

Question 15

Lester Horton

Answer 15

Directed dance groups in LA to show modern outside of NY
Interest in American Indian & Mexican culture
Imaginative–always changed titles, music, phrases– was confusing for company
First modern company that was racially integrated

Question 16

Horton Technique

Answer 16

High extensions, fluid back, turns, falls
Sequences from floor to air to floor
Ethnic gestures
Did not have a good warm-up

Question 17

Bella Lewitzky

Answer 17

Great performer and organizer
Instrumental in develop. of Horton technique
Focused on teaching children

Question 18

Katherine Dunham

Answer 18

Black dance pioneer in 40’s
Concentrated on “negro” culture–people not impressed
An anthropologist
Used Caribbean and black American themes in her choreo
People weren’t accepting of jazz music at this time (too sexual)

Question 19

Alvin Ailey

Answer 19

Student of Lester Horton and did choreo after his death
Started Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in 1958
Most famous works: Revelations

Question 20

Alwin Nikolais

Answer 20

Studied at a Wigman branch
Choreo. lies in art from itself (as opposed to earlier modern works who focus on drama or emotion)
Choreo. for the Federal Theater
Asst. for Hanya Holm for a time
Known as modern dance’s pioneer for multimedia
Used costumes to change the body’s shape
Dancers were often unisex

Question 21

Avant-Garde Movement

Answer 21

Modern dancers became almost too polished/restricted like ballet
In 1950s/60s this style was developed to counter this
Broke barriers between audience and performers
Avoided emotion and plot

Question 22

Merce Cunningham

Answer 22

Modern dance was for & about the movement

Studied with Graham and ballet

Question 23

Cunningham’s Theories

Answer 23

Chance and indeterminacy
Staged space an open filed
Components of productions as separate entities
Dance was about movement – expressionless and everyday movement

Question 24

Paul Taylor

Answer 24

Performed with Cunningham and Graham
Choreographic chameleon
Had own company but ballet companies performed his pieces

Question 25

Pilobolus

Answer 25

Group of about 6 dancers who create collectively
Make shapes and tell stories by molding their bodies together
Started at Dartmouth College

Question 26

Twyla Tharp

Answer 26

Designs her pieces to work out a problem through structure
Danced w/ Taylor’s company
Uses sharply thrusting steps and off-handed shrugs
Choreo. for Broadway, TV, Ballet, and movies
Famous Work: ‘Movin’ Out’

Question 27

Modern Dance Subject Matter

Answer 27

Civil Rights Movement, Feminism, Sexual liberation, Ecology

Question 28

Why modern dance began?

Answer 28

Out of a desire for freedom and rebellion against ballet