Dancer/choreographer who developed a technique of Contraction and Release that is taught around the world
Martha Graham
Duo who left the denishawn school to found their own school of dance, layer becoming known for their technique of fall and recovery
Doris Humphrey & Charles Weidman
Modern choreographer who has been successful in reaching a broad international audience with choreography that is highly athletic and musical
Paul Taylor
Known as the father of jazz dance, he created his own technique that was a mix of African, Caribbean, and Harlem dance forms
Jack Cole
Choreographer of Oklahoma (1943) which was the first musical to have all dance numbers relate to and advance the plot
Agnes de Mille
One of the first people to bring dance into high education (Uw-Madison 1920’s)
Margaret H’ Doubler
Known as the mother of modern dance, she stressed freedom and harmony in movement by going barefoot and wearing long flowing dresses on stage
Isadora Duncan
Establishing his own company after dancing for Martha Graham’s company, his choreography had no meaning and was referred to as “movement for movements sake”
Merce Cunningham
One of the first African American dancers to popularize tap, he is known for his duet with Shirley Temple in The Little Colonel (1935)
Bill ‘Bojangles’ Robinson
First a ballet great, he later choreographed for musical theatre productions including West Side Story (1957)
Jerome Robbins
His choreography is recognized by angular shapes, undulating hip and shoulder movements, hip isolations, and turned-in legs
Bob Fosse
Current choreographer who “combines the spirit of Merce Cunningham and the daring Evil Knievel”
Elizabeth Street
One of “the soloists” with a vaudeville background, she popularized dance as an art form and later opened a dance school with her husband that was instrumental in educating the next generation of modern dancers
Ruth St. Denis
Interruption of regular flow of rhythms, emphasizing the off beat in music
Syncopation
Retreat and gathering place for dancers
Jacob’s pillow
The Soloists
Isadora Duncan
Ruth St. Dennis
Martha graham dance style
Contraction and release
Mini ballet within the production
“Oklahoma”
Dream ballet
Fall: give into gravity
Recovery: resistance of gravity
Created by Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman
Fall and recovery
Post modern dance
Very “un-dance” like
Anti dance approach
New Experimentalism
Contest among blacks who attempt to out do each other in mocking white man’s manners and behavior
Cakewalk
Bill Bojangles duet with Shirley Temple (1935)
The Little Colonel
Jerome Robbins: dancing replaces dialogue
West Side Story
One of the first musical theatre productions
First piece to use dance to move storyline along
the Black Crook
Agnes de Mille
1st musical theatre to have all dance numbers relate to advanced plot. First “dream ballet”
Oklahoma
Public tv watching
1950/1960
The Ed Sullivan Show
Began in 17th century; African salves brought with them music and dancing
Jazz
Originated in 20th century as a rebellion against the restrictions of classical ballet
Modern
Became popular in 1939’s after appearing in movie musicals
Tap
Descended from the dance forms of African Shuffle and Irish Jig
Tap
Incorporates many styles of dance as it supports and relates to a story line
Musical theatre
Has reflected the popular music and accompanying social dance of the time
Jazz
Has always been experimental in nature
Modern
