Modern Dance Pioneers

A brief history of modern dance

The creation of an art form

Why was Modern Dance

Different?
Rebelled

against the rigid constraints of

Classical Ballet
Focused on creative self-expression rather
than on technical virtuosity
Modern dance is only approximately 100
years old (started around the turn of the 20th
century)
Modern dance is often performed in bare feet
Modern dance often utilizes floor work
Modern dancers saw dance as a potential
agent of change

Loie Fuller
Burlesque

skirt dancer
Experimented with effects gas lighting had on
her silk costumes
Natural movement and improvisation
techniques
Revolutionary lighting equipment and
translucent silk costumes
She patented her apparatus and methods of
stage lighting that included:
1. colored gels
2. burning chemicals for luminescence
3. her voluminous silk stage costumes

Isadora Duncan

http://video.google.co
m/videosearch?
q=isadora+duncan&e
mb=0&aq=0&oq=Isad
ora#

Stressed improvisation,
emotion, and the
human form
Inspired by the classics,
especially Greek
mythology
Thought that classical
ballet was "ugly and
against nature"
Believed in the creation
of beauty and the
education of the young
Founded three schools

A New Dance School

Ruth

St. Dennis and her husband, Ted

Shawn, opened the Denishawn School
School was built on free dance of exoticism
and mysticism
Designed to teach students in their own
style
Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey were pupils
there
Out of the Denishawn school came a new
generation of dancers in the 1920s
Modern dance as a dance technique was
given its form at this time

Martha Graham

Dance technique based

on the physical
manifestations of
emotion
Principles of contraction
and release
Brought serious issues
to the stage
Created her own
company, which
endures today
http://marthagraham.or
g/center/

Doris Humphrey
Sought

a deeper
understanding of
movement possibilities
Universal expressiveness
New vocabulary based
on the principle of fall
and recovery
Designs for groups, mass
movements and
sculptural shapes

Other Notable Dancers

Hanya Holm
Jos Limn
Merce Cunningham
Paul Taylor
http://www.ptdc.org/

Katherine Dunham
Alvin Ailey
http://www.alvinailey.or
g/page.php?
p=main&v=4&sec=aa
adt

Dance Today
Take a moment to discuss with a
partner where we see modern dance
performed today. Think not only
about the stage, but also other types
of entertainment (such as in the
media).

Current Companies
You

can see professional modern

dance companies at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dan
ce_companies#M

Modern Dance Influence

Your 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 3minute 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.