chapter 6 notes Flashcards
(41 cards)
How does the age of modern dance compare to ballet?
Modern dance is a much younger art form than ballet.
Who is often credited as the “mother of modern dance”?
Isadora Duncan.
Who founded the Denishawn School?
Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn.
Which major modern dancers were trained at the Denishawn School?
Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, and Martha Graham.
Name four modern dance techniques that can be studied.
Graham technique, Humphrey-Weidman technique, Limon technique, and Hawkins technique.
What themes were explored in the choreography of Martha Graham and Anna Sokolow?
The human experience and the drama of the human psyche.
What does the term “modern dance” refer to?
A variety of different techniques and aesthetics.
When did post-modern dance begin to emerge?
In the 1950s.
Why did dancers and choreographers begin moving away from earlier styles in the 1950s?
They felt restricted by the teachings of their predecessors.
What shift in focus occurred in post-modern choreography?
Choreographers focused less on drama and realism, and more on pure movement.
What term describes the non-narrative, movement-focused style of post-modern dance?
Abstract.
What term describes the experimental artists of the post-modern dance era?
Avant garde.
Name three key figures who began the post-modern dance movement.
Merce Cunningham, Alwin Nikolais, and Paul Taylor.
What was Merce Cunningham’s choreographic philosophy?
“Movement for movement’s sake.”
What was Alwin Nikolais’ choreographic focus?
“Motion, not emotion.”
What was Paul Taylor known for using in his choreography?
Basic pedestrian movements and untraditional sound scores.
What is Twyla Tharp known for in dance?
Cross-over ballet (blending ballet with modern and other styles).
What title is Katherine Dunham known by?
Matriarch and Queen of Black dance.
What did the next generation of post-modern choreographers focus on?
Eliminating formal technique and using basic movements like walking, running, skipping, and hopping.
What does the genre of dance-theatre combine?
Dance and theatre, with both being integral parts of the performance.
What elements may be included in a dance-theatre performance?
Spoken word, text, singing, and choreography.
What are often emphasized in dance-theatre performances?
Theme, dramatics, and theatricality.
Where did dance-theatre originate?
Europe, specifically West Germany.
How does the emphasis differ between American and European dance-theatre?
In the U.S., dance/movement is prioritized; in Europe, theatrical elements are emphasized.
