Modern Dance Ms. Pendry

How would you define modern dance? What is Modern Dance? How would you define modern dance? Modern dance refused classical ballet's stress on feet as the primary method for dance movements. It placed emphasis on the torso employing such elements as contact-release, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation. It was usually performed in bare feet, often with non-traditional costuming.

Who began modern dance? Three Forerunners Loie Fuller Isadora Duncan Ruth St. Dennis

Modern Dance Defined Before the 20th Century, dance was reflective of the dancer’s culture. America wanted to create a form of dance to reflect its own individuality. In our country individual achievement and success became very important. In the 20th Century we made dance a personally expressive art form. People took traditional dance forms and created personal expression.

Loie Fuller (1862-1928) 1892 – At 30, she began dancing with 100 yards of silk costuming and decided that she need to light herself on stage. She invented the color wheel which was used on stage until the 1980’s. 1892 – Serpentine 1899 – Fire Dance

Isadora Duncan (1878-1927) Current Isadora Technique Pioneered expressive dance. 1889-1904 – European, Paris and Greek Period. Defined her movements as “Frolicking.” 1904-1921 – Opened a dance school in Greece. She adopted children and developed them as dancers. 1921 – Heroic Period. She explored the emotions of war and wanted to express communism change in Russia. Current Isadora Technique

1932 – East Indian Nautch Dance Ruth St. Dennis (1877-1968) She built her career after seeing Loie Fuller and Isadora Duncan in Paris. Elevated the dance in Vaudeville to a performance art rather than an entertainment. 1906 – She made up movements from books and pictures. She used elaborate costumes and researched India. 1932 – East Indian Nautch Dance

Elements of Dance Body Space Energy Time ((B-SET to dance))

Body Warm-up Isolation Parallel Series of movement exercises designed to prepare the body for more rigorous movement Isolation Moving one part of the body while others remain still Parallel Feet shoulder width apart, heels BEHIND toes

Additional Vocabulary Words Plie – to bend Releve – to rise Jazz Square – step forward, cross in front, step back, open Grapevine – step side cross back, step side, touch Chasse – to chase Chaine – chained, linked Passe – passed Grande plie – large bending Focal Point – a place where the dancers direct their face and eyes Alignment – keeping the head, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles in a long straight line

Additional Vocabulary Words Lunge – front knee over ankle, back leg extended straight