1. MODERN DANCE A reaction against ballet

2. The early 1900’s-1930’s embraced the careers of American dancers who changed the traditional idea of classical dance. The early 1900’s-1930’s embraced the careers of American dancers who changed the traditional idea of classical dance. Two developments helped inspire freer dance movement: Two developments helped inspire freer dance movement: 1. A system of natural expressive gestures. 2.Eurythmics: a system of teaching musical rhythms through body movement (created by Dalacroze.)

3. Early dancers looked beyond traditions of Western theatrical ballet to give their dance more communicative power. Early dancers looked beyond traditions of Western theatrical ballet to give their dance more communicative power. Their dance came from more exotic sources. Their dance came from more exotic sources.

4. Michel Fokine Russian choreographer/dancer Russian choreographer/dancer Accepted into the St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet at age 9. Accepted into the St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet at age 9. His virtuosity as a dancer and chorographer lead to hardships, and he eventually moved to New York for opportunities. His virtuosity as a dancer and chorographer lead to hardships, and he eventually moved to New York for opportunities.

5. In New York he founded a school of ballet (with his now wife, Vera Fokine). In New York he founded a school of ballet (with his now wife, Vera Fokine). Known for Ballet Russe or Russian Ballets. This was the name of the company he established in 1909. Known for Ballet Russe or Russian Ballets. This was the name of the company he established in 1909. Two of his most famous ballets with the Ballet Russe are The Firebird and Rimsky- Korsakov’s Scheherazade. Two of his most famous ballets with the Ballet Russe are The Firebird and Rimsky- Korsakov’s Scheherazade. His costuming was very brightly colored, dances were very animalistic and primitive; non-proper. His dances sometimes bordered on vulgarity. (I.e. Scheherazade) His costuming was very brightly colored, dances were very animalistic and primitive; non-proper. His dances sometimes bordered on vulgarity. (I.e. Scheherazade)

7. Isadora Duncan Used Greek sculpture and images as sources of inspiration. Used Greek sculpture and images as sources of inspiration. Danced in bare feet and a simple tunic Danced in bare feet and a simple tunic

8. Isadora Duncan Created dances that alternated between resisting and yielding to gravity. Created dances that alternated between resisting and yielding to gravity. Inspired by the music of Romantic composers such as Chopin and Liszt. Inspired by the music of Romantic composers such as Chopin and Liszt.

9. The second wave of modern dancers emerged in New York. The second wave of modern dancers emerged in New York. This wave included American dancer Martha Graham. This wave included American dancer Martha Graham. Second wave dancers turned to basic human movement experiences (such as breathing and walking) for their influences. Second wave dancers turned to basic human movement experiences (such as breathing and walking) for their influences. They transformed natural actions into dance movements. They transformed natural actions into dance movements.

10. Martha Graham Martha Graham explored movement initiated in the torso. Martha Graham explored movement initiated in the torso. Her dance was about contraction and release from natural breathing. Her dance was about contraction and release from natural breathing. Choreography inspired by Diaghilev’s Rite of Spring (music by Stravinsky). Choreography inspired by Diaghilev’s Rite of Spring (music by Stravinsky).

11. In the 1930’s she became interested in literary subject matter. In the 1930’s she became interested in literary subject matter. In her choreography she often portrayed a female protagonist and had the other dancers in her troop portray moments of crisis. In her choreography she often portrayed a female protagonist and had the other dancers in her troop portray moments of crisis. Known for her dancing role in the ballet Appalachian Spring (music by Aaron Copland). Known for her dancing role in the ballet Appalachian Spring (music by Aaron Copland).

12. Jose Limon Pioneering modern dancer/choreographer. Pioneering modern dancer/choreographer. Influenced by Doris Humphrey, Isadora Duncan, and Charles Weidman. Influenced by Doris Humphrey, Isadora Duncan, and Charles Weidman. Founded the Jose Limon Dance Company (still survives today). Founded the Jose Limon Dance Company (still survives today). Drafted and served the U.S. ARMY. Drafted and served the U.S. ARMY.

14. POST-WAR DEVELOPEMENTS

15. Alvin Ailey Combined ballet and modern dance Combined ballet and modern dance Concentrated on African American themes Concentrated on African American themes Pluralist Pluralist

16. Twyla Tharp Choreography combined social dance, ballet and modern dance. Choreography combined social dance, ballet and modern dance. Began her dance career during the 60’s. Began her dance career during the 60’s. Tended to push things to an extreme. Tended to push things to an extreme. Incorporates humor into her choreography. Incorporates humor into her choreography. Her dance usually served as a commentary on social issues. Her dance usually served as a commentary on social issues.

18. Post-modern dance (mid-1980’s) is no longer interested in traditional techniques. It instead relies on theatrical elements and the use of literary and pictorial devices. Post-modern dance (mid-1980’s) is no longer interested in traditional techniques. It instead relies on theatrical elements and the use of literary and pictorial devices. Dance braches into many different styles. Dance braches into many different styles.

19. ASSIGNMENT 1. NAME 4 (FOUR) TYPES OF MODERN DANCE. 2. GIVE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EACH OF THE 4 (FOUR) YOU CHOSE. 3. WHERE MIGHT EACH OF THE 4 (FOUR) OCCURE? GIVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES. 4. WHY WOULD EACH OF THESE DANCES BE USED FOR EACH SPECIFIC OCCASION? (THINK HARD!)