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Modern Dance
A Brief History: Pioneers
What is Modern?
•The rebellion against
ballet
•Emphasis on effort of
dance
•Natural body
movements
•Began in the late
1800s/early 1900s
Isadora Duncan 1877-1927
 “Mother of Modern Dance”,
Laid the foundation of modern dance
 Believed art was about personal
expression
 No more corsets and slippers, Duncan
was the first to rebel against ballet and
use free flowing movement and
barefoot technique
 Typical attire was a simple tunic and
bare feet
 Was seen as vulgar almost like nudity
 Style focused on the chest and
consisted of walks, skips, jumps, and
runs
 Died September 14, 1927 in freak
accident (Death by Scarf)
Ruth St. Denis 1879-1968
In 1938, Ruth St. Denis
founded one of the first dance
departments in America at
Adelphi University.
She started a dance company
called Denishawn, with her
husband, Ted Shawn
Martha Graham was one of her
more famous pupils.
Her choreography was
influenced by the East and the
Orient.
She is known for her ornate
costumes and set pieces.
Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn
were also instrumental in
creating the legendary dance
festival, Jacob's Pillow.
Martha Graham 1894-1991
 Generally accepted as the greatest
single figure in American modern
dance
 Danced with Denishawn from 19161923
 Created “Graham technique,” This
style focuses on the pelvis and
spine/abs.
 Dances were about heroic women in
myths and history
 Her choreography was often used to
express her passions and rages.
 Graham developed the principles of
“contraction” and “release”
 Graham technique was notable for
its nervous energy. It was based on a
study of breathing
Prominent Modern Artists
Doris Humphrey
 Created theory of fall and recovery
Charles Weidman
 Known for abstract, rhythmic pantomime
Hayna Holm
 German modern artist
 Brought modern dance to Broadway musicals
Erick Hawkins 1909-1994

 Joined the Graham company
in 1938 he became her
principle partner
 Married Martha Graham
 Created his own technique,
softening the Graham
technique, infusing it with
nature imagery; the moon,
stars, desert, and sea
 His concepts are based on
kinesiology.
Merce Cunningham 1919-2009
 Member of the Graham company
from 1939-1945
 Most influential of Graham’s students
 Mixed elements of music, set,
costumes, and dance- shifting their
relationship
 Applied philosopher/composer John
Cage’s theory that “any sound can be
music” to dance and realize that any
movement can be dance
 Dance by Chance
 Known for decentralizing his dancersmoving them all over the stage in a
random scattered way
Alvin Ailey 1931-1989
 The first to give black dancers and
choreographers opportunities in
concert dance.
 Ailey began his company by
looking for dancers with unique
qualities-not only strong
personalities but also impeccable
technique.
 His choreography related to the
prejudices he endured as an
African American and his struggles
growing up in a small East Texas
town after being abandoned by his
father at a young age.
 His move famous piece is
“Revelations.” Revelations tells
the story of slavery.
Pilobolus (dance company)
 Connecticut based company
of choreographers and
dancer-athletes committed
to developing original works
each year.
 Make shapes out of their
bodies