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The Beginning of Modern Dance in America
It evolved in the late 1800's and early 1900's as a direct revolt against restrictions of ballet
Mary Wigman
One of the most notable figures of German modern dance Linked the way art was being expressed during this time period  Was a student of Rudolf von Laban  Known as one of Hitler's Dancers
Dresden Central School
Dance school opened by Mary Wigman in 1920 which operated under Nazi rule
Mary Wigman's famous solo
The Witch Dance  Incorporated very sharp and tense movements
Isadora Duncan
Wore Grecian tunics and danced barefoot  Was inspired by natural movement and developed a technique that used basic movements such as running, swaying, and skipping  Known as one of Hitler's Dancers
Isadora Duncan
She died dramatically when she was strangled to death by her scarf in a Bugatti sports car convertible
Expressionist dance
Refers to an expression of reality that's distorted in shape and color.  For example: an artist offers her own interpretation of nature instead of copying it
Rudolf Von Laban
Laid the foundation for Laban Movement Analysis or "Labanotation"  Alleged ties to Nazi ideology  Known as one of Hitler's Dancers
Labanotation
A preservation method of documenting dance for future generations; it is a system of dance notation  The Nine Point System: Numbers 1-9, Basement, First Floor, and Attic
Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn
Leading dancers in Isadora Duncan's company  Based on the principals of teaching the total dancer (body, mind, and spirit)  Married and formed the Denishawn School and Company  Both performed on the Vaudeville Circuit
Ruth St. Denis
Created works on her perceptions of Egyptian, Greek, and Asian cultures Her interpretations were not accurate but were entertaining for American audiences.
Vaudeville
A type of entertainment popular in the United states and Canada in the early 1920's featuring a mixture of short specialty acts such as signers, dancers, theatrical acts, jugglers, minstrel shows, and animal acts.
Jacob's Pillow
Formed by Ted Shawn  A weekend event where you can watch dances all day and in different settings
Martha Graham, Charles Weidman, and Doris Humphrey
Three Major Dancers that came from the Denishawn School and Company
Martha Graham
Developed the "contraction" and "releasing" technique through the center of the body  Founded the Martha Graham Dance Company  She choreographed work about American themes as well as political, psychological, and sexually themed works. Danced until age 76 Died in 1991 after battles wi…
Martha Graham's husband
Eric Hawkins
Martha Graham's most popular works
Appalachian Spring, Errand into the Maze, Lamentation, Cave of the Heart, and Diversion of Angels
Charles Weidman and Doris Humphrey
Two students from the Denishawn School and Company who developed the technique of "fall and recovery"  Humphrey's interest: ensemble works  Weidman's interests: comedy in dance and observations of society  Doris Humphrey wrote a awful book on choreography  Charles Weidman continued to…
Post Modern Dance
Developed as a reaction to constraints of modern dance  Pedestrian movements  Primary focus was movement not storyline  Abstract Dance was prominent
Abstract Dance
plot less work composed of pure dance movement although composition may suggest a mood or subject
Merce Cunningham
An abstract choreographer  His philosophy: "movement for movement sake"  Explored "Chance and Indeterminacy" which allowed for greater movement spontaneity
Alwin Nikolais
Didn't feel the "self" always had to be the main focus on stage  Dancers wore costumes to resemble objects, rather than humans  Created masks without faces for dancers Critics said he was dehumanizing the dancers
Murray Louis
Leading dancer in The Nikolais Dance Theater for 20 years
The Judson Dance Theater
The Judson Church in NY Performed on rooftops, in lofts, warehouses, streets, Comprised of visual artists, writers, musicians, and dancers  Collaboration with different artists gave the subject a new perspective  Improvisation was a large part of the creative process
Dance Improvisation
Creating movement on the spot or spontaneously. It is done to free the body up of habitual movement patterns
Happenings
Multi-disciplinary performances that take place anywhere  Disbanded in 1968 and regrouped as The Grand Union which had equal say, equal membership
Fred Herko
Reenacted his suicide by dancing from the bathtub to the window and eventually going out the window
Katherine Dunham
Known as "Matriarch and Queen Mother of Black Dance"  She was a dancer, choreographer, songwriter, author
Pearl Primus
Modern dancer, teacher, and anthropologist  Choreographed "Strange Fruit" about a black man being lynched by a white racist
Alvin Alley
Dancer and choreographer who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958.  Student of Martha Graham and Lester Horton  Funding father of modern dance globally
Revelations
Alvin Alley's most famous work Had celebratory study of religious spirit in the rural south
Jazz, Musical Theater, and Tap
Dances with roots of African American culture
Minstrel Shows
American Entertainment consisting of variety acts performed by whites in blackface and after the Civil War blacks performed as well in blackface  Showcased black songs and dances on stage Whites originally appeared in blackface and eventually blacks joined as well
Blackface
Form of theatrical makeup used in minstrel shows, and later vaudeville, in which performers create a stereotyped caricature of a black person.  Gained popularity in the 19th century and contributed to stereotypes such as "happy-go-lucky dark on the plantation" or the "dandified coon"
Musical Theater
Has its roots in jazz dance  Uses dance to move the storyline along
Agnes de Mille
Pioneer of musical theater choreography Choreographed the show Oklahoma Changed the musical theater format by creating a truly artistic representation of dance on stage and screen
Bob Fosse
Popular musical theater choreographer  Film career was cut short because of premature balding so be became a director for musical theater  Signature props were bowler hats, canes, and chairs
Sweaty Charity, Cabaret, Chicago, and All That Jazz
Bob Fosse's most famous works
Tap Dance
Combination of English dog, Irish jig, and Negro Shuffle  The sound is produced by rhythms of dancers feet  Highly improvisational and syncopated  Many different styles of tap dancing
Rhythm Tap
Focuses on the Acoustic rather than the aesthetic.
Savion Glover
Known as a Hoofer which is contemporary description of a Rhythm tapper
Class Act
Dealing with absolute perfection of sound, steps, and manner.  Driven by the desire for African American respectability and equality on the American Concert Stage
Flash Act
A type of tap that is highly acrobatic with a high level of artistry and daring improvisation Made famous by the Nicholas Brothers.
Soft Shoe
A form of tap only done with soft soled shoes without metal taps attached Made famous by Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
Social Dance
A product of the cultures and time periods  Came from African American Culture  1950's Rock and Roll was derived from rhythm and blues  Chubby Checker popularized the "Twist"  The monkey and the mashed potato were all popular  The Vietnam War protest, the Civil Rights Movement, and d…
1970's Dance
The Disco, The Hustle, and The Bus Stop Studio 54 was a popular New York nightclub  Soul Train was a TV show popularized these 70's
Break Dancing
An improvisational form of dance developed in the South Bronx and Brooklyn by Latino and African American youngsters in the mid 1970's Highly energetic and had a battle dance structure
Evolution of Break Dancing
Performed on the street on top of a cardboard surface Became popular because of pop culture and shows like MTV and VH1 The movie "Flash Dance" had a scene in which a female dancer auditioned with hiphop
Krumping
An American urban dance that is informed by the lifestyles of South Central La and African youth It is improvisational and very competition orientated  Also a contemporary Folk Dance

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