Martha Graham [Mother Of Modern Dance]

Level I Dance Class 9th-12th Grade

Purpose Objectives To begin a basis of understanding of the pioneers of modern dance. To encourage a pride in knowledge of people and events from within the world of dance. To begin a basis of understanding of the pioneers of modern dance. To encourage a pride in knowledge of people and events from within the world of dance. Be able to explain who Martha Graham was. Be able to explain what new ideas or technical ideas she brought to dance. To have a general idea of what her choreography was like. Be able to explain how she is connected with dancers today. Be able to explain who Martha Graham was. Be able to explain what new ideas or technical ideas she brought to dance. To have a general idea of what her choreography was like. Be able to explain how she is connected with dancers today.

Things To Know Contraction: the tightening of the core muscles (stomach and back) in order to form a c-shape with the core Release: coming out of a contraction into an upright postural position Ruth St. Denis: a contemporary dancer that brought new ideas into the world of American dance, including religious and worldly themes Contraction: the tightening of the core muscles (stomach and back) in order to form a c-shape with the core Release: coming out of a contraction into an upright postural position Ruth St. Denis: a contemporary dancer that brought new ideas into the world of American dance, including religious and worldly themes

Ruth St. Denis It was only after seeing Ruth St. Denis perform that Graham became interested in dance. She then started her training with St. Denis in 1916, at the age of 22. It was only after seeing Ruth St. Denis perform that Graham became interested in dance. She then started her training with St. Denis in 1916, at the age of 22.

Contract and Release This included the contraction and release of the torso (contraction seen in picture on left) Also included was flexing of the hands and feet (seen below) This included the contraction and release of the torso (contraction seen in picture on left) Also included was flexing of the hands and feet (seen below) Graham founded many new concepts used regularly in many styles of modern dance today

Quirky Fact Although her style was quite different than that of classical dance, she felt that dancers needed to study ballet from at least age nine through their dancing career

Most Well Known Works Left: Appalachian Spring, choreographed in 1944 Middle: Lamentation, choreographed in video of piece linked to button below- Right: Rite of Spring, choreographed in 1984 Left: Appalachian Spring, choreographed in 1944 Middle: Lamentation, choreographed in video of piece linked to button below- Right: Rite of Spring, choreographed in 1984

Performance Facts Costuming was very simple for Graham works: men were in spandex shorts and women were either scantily clad or in long dresses/skirts She didn’t like people to watch rehearsals but knew she had to for dancers performance improvement Grahams pieces were more about emotion and performance than actual technique Costuming was very simple for Graham works: men were in spandex shorts and women were either scantily clad or in long dresses/skirts She didn’t like people to watch rehearsals but knew she had to for dancers performance improvement Grahams pieces were more about emotion and performance than actual technique

Performance Facts Cont. Graham lead a long career for a dancer, retiring at age 76 Realized after retiring that she had to make a teaching program for her studio (Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in NYC) so her technique could be continued, created one She died at age 96 Graham lead a long career for a dancer, retiring at age 76 Realized after retiring that she had to make a teaching program for her studio (Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance in NYC) so her technique could be continued, created one She died at age 96

Resources/Links Horosko, M. (comp). (1991). Martha Graham: The Evolution of Her Dance Theory and Training Chicago: Chicago Review Press, Inc. Leatherman, L. (1996). Martha Graham: Portrait of the Lady as an Artist. New York City: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Horosko, M. (comp). (1991). Martha Graham: The Evolution of Her Dance Theory and Training Chicago: Chicago Review Press, Inc. Leatherman, L. (1996). Martha Graham: Portrait of the Lady as an Artist. New York City: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

Let’s See What You Know! Click a picture to take you to a question [Once you have gotten all 3 questions right you have finished the PowerPoint] history dances Style

What Dance Is This Picture From? Lamentation Rite Of Spring Appalachian Spring

CORRECT! HistoryStyle

Most Well Known Works Left: Appalachian Spring, choreographed in 1944 Middle: Lamentation, choreographed in 1927 Right: Rite of Spring, choreographed in 1984 Left: Appalachian Spring, choreographed in 1944 Middle: Lamentation, choreographed in 1927 Right: Rite of Spring, choreographed in 1984 back

Who Was It That Sparked Martha Graham’s Interest In Dance? Ruth St. Denis George Balanchine May O’Donnell Mary Wigman

CORRECT! DancesStyle

Ruth St. Denis It was only after seeing Ruth St. Denis perform that Graham became interested in dance. She then started her training with St. Denis in 1916, at the age of 22. It was only after seeing Ruth St. Denis perform that Graham became interested in dance. She then started her training with St. Denis in 1916, at the age of 22. back

Graham Is Most Famous For Her Idea Of… Fall and Recover Use of breath Contract and Release

This included the contraction and release of the torso (contraction seen in picture on left) Also included was flexing of the hands and feet (seen below) This included the contraction and release of the torso (contraction seen in picture on left) Also included was flexing of the hands and feet (seen below) Graham founded many new concepts used regularly in many styles of modern dance today back

CORRECT! DancesHistory