Post on 04-Jan-2016
Modern Dance PioneersModern Dance Pioneers
A brief history of modern danceA brief history of modern dance
The creation of an art formThe creation of an art form
Why was Modern Dance Why was Modern Dance Different?Different?
Rebelled against the rigid constraints of Rebelled against the rigid constraints of Classical BalletClassical Ballet
Focused on creative self-expression rather Focused on creative self-expression rather than on technical virtuosity than on technical virtuosity
Modern dance is only approximately 100 Modern dance is only approximately 100 years old (started around the turn of the 20years old (started around the turn of the 20thth century)century)
Modern dance is often performed in bare feetModern dance is often performed in bare feet Modern dance often utilizes floor work Modern dance often utilizes floor work Modern dancers saw dance as a potential Modern dancers saw dance as a potential
agent of change agent of change
Loie FullerLoie Fuller Burlesque skirt dancer Burlesque skirt dancer Experimented with effects gas lighting had Experimented with effects gas lighting had
on her silk costumeson her silk costumes Natural movement and improvisation Natural movement and improvisation
techniques techniques Revolutionary lighting equipment and Revolutionary lighting equipment and
translucent silk costumes translucent silk costumes She patented her apparatus and methods of She patented her apparatus and methods of
stage lighting that included: stage lighting that included: 1. colored gels 1. colored gels 2. burning chemicals for luminescence 2. burning chemicals for luminescence 3. her voluminous silk stage costumes 3. her voluminous silk stage costumes
Isadora DuncanIsadora Duncan http://http://
video.google.com/video.google.com/videosearch?videosearch?q=isadora+duncan&eq=isadora+duncan&emb=0&aq=0&oq=Isadmb=0&aq=0&oq=Isadora#ora#
Stressed improvisation, Stressed improvisation, emotion, and the emotion, and the human form human form
Inspired by the Inspired by the classics, especially classics, especially Greek mythologyGreek mythology
Thought that classical Thought that classical ballet was "ugly and ballet was "ugly and against nature" against nature"
Believed in the Believed in the creation of beauty and creation of beauty and the education of the the education of the young young
Founded three schoolsFounded three schools
A New Dance SchoolA New Dance School
Ruth St. Dennis and her husband, Ted Ruth St. Dennis and her husband, Ted Shawn, opened the Denishawn SchoolShawn, opened the Denishawn School
School was built on free dance of School was built on free dance of exoticism and mysticism exoticism and mysticism
Designed to teach students in their own Designed to teach students in their own stylestyle
Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey were Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey were pupils therepupils there
Out of the Denishawn school came a new Out of the Denishawn school came a new generation of dancers in the 1920sgeneration of dancers in the 1920s
Modern dance as a dance technique was Modern dance as a dance technique was given its form at this timegiven its form at this time
Martha GrahamMartha Graham Dance technique based Dance technique based
on the physical on the physical manifestations of manifestations of emotion emotion
Principles of contraction Principles of contraction and releaseand release
Brought serious issues Brought serious issues to the stageto the stage
Created her own Created her own company, which endures company, which endures todaytoday
http://http://marthagraham.org/marthagraham.org/center/center/
Doris HumphreyDoris Humphrey Sought a deeper Sought a deeper
understanding of understanding of movement possibilities movement possibilities
Universal expressivenessUniversal expressiveness New vocabulary based New vocabulary based
on the principle of fall on the principle of fall and recovery and recovery
Designs for groups, mass Designs for groups, mass movements and movements and sculptural shapes sculptural shapes
Other Notable DancersOther Notable Dancers Hanya Holm Hanya Holm José LimónJosé Limón Merce CunninghamMerce Cunningham Paul Taylor Paul Taylor
http://www.ptdc.org/http://www.ptdc.org/
Katherine DunhamKatherine Dunham Alvin Ailey Alvin Ailey
http://www.alvinailey.http://www.alvinailey.org/page.php?org/page.php?p=main&v=4&sec=aap=main&v=4&sec=aaadtadt
Dance TodayDance Today
Take a moment to discuss with a Take a moment to discuss with a partner where we see modern dance partner where we see modern dance performed today. Think not only performed today. Think not only about the stage, but also other types about the stage, but also other types of entertainment (such as in the of entertainment (such as in the media).media).
Current CompaniesCurrent Companies
You can see professional modern You can see professional modern dance companies at:dance companies at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dance_companies#MList_of_dance_companies#M
Modern Dance InfluenceModern Dance InfluenceYour AssignmentYour Assignment
Writing: Research one of the modern dance companies from the website. Write a one-page description of their repertoire and what pioneer
influenced their technique.
Choreography: In groups of 2-8, create a 3-minute piece of modern dance choreography. Music choice must be approved by teacher. Class time will be allotted for choreography. If additional rehearsal time in needed, please see teacher.