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DANCE 1003

Terms in this set (32)

1. What were two contributions of Ted Shawn alone?
- Modern period
Created all male dance company
- He also established Jacob's Pillow school in Massachusetts
2. Why is Maurice Bejart important?
contemprorary Best known French choreographer, and extremely popular in that
country. Often criticized for his daring ventures, he is also known for
propelling ballet forward. Has tackled such themes as Charlie Chaplin, Che
Guevarra, and the music of Queen.
3. Why is Isadora Duncan called the Mother of modern dance?
She decided to leave her technical training and began to dance in a way that seemed to her more natural. She felt that pointe shoe , ballerina costumes as well as ballet vocabulary were too confining. She expressed freedom of movement in her movements, dresses.

Was more well known than either of the above, and is often recognized as the first modern dancer.
She captivated Michel Fokine during a tour including Europe and Russia, and influenced his choreography as well as his ideas about costuming. On the same tour, Anna Pavlova was influenced by the fluidity of her dancing.
Danced as if by instinct. Wore flowing gowns, danced barefoot, and used natural movements like hopping, running, swaying, and skipping. Her dances portrayed her passion for dance, and displayed exceptional musicality. Although her movement seemed improvisational, each was carefully choreographed with a specific shape. For her, the solar plexus was the area from which all movement was generated.
Was known for stopping in the middle of a piece, and discussing some hot issue political issue of the time
4. What was Loic Fuller's contribution other than to modern dance?
She was known for her experimentation with mixed
media. She would use hundreds of yards of silks carves or veils as part of
her costume, and with lights would create wonderful illusions by manipulating the
fabric. She developed many lighting techniques and instruments by dancing with those costumes. She also encouraged Isadora Duncan to come to Europe.
5. Who is Arthur Mitchell?
Contemporary period. Previously a dancer with New York City ballet Mithcell wanted to develop a company where African American dancers could perform in classical ballets. In 1972 he established Dance Theatre of Harlem.Known as established dancer, educator, choreographer and artistic director of Dance Theatre of Harlem. After an illustrious career with NYCB, he left to create the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and wanted to provide the kids of Harlem with the opportunity to dance. His company has surpassed his expectations, and is considered among the best in the world
6. What was much of Anthony Tudor's choreography about?
Was dancer, choreographer and teacher. Most of his ballets dealt with psychological themes. He was not interested in ballets that were about princesses and fairies, but about people and their problems. His ballet vocabulary stepped beyond the classical vocabulary and the tricks popular during his time. He believed ballet was a fusion of movements, not a series of separate dances which could be performed independently. Created ballets which were tragedies, satires, and comedies. Some of his ballets include Gallant Assembly (1937), Pillar of Fire (1942), and Leaves are Fading (1977).

He served as associate director of American Ballet Theatre for a number of years.
7. What ballet was Kenneth McMillan most known for creating?
Artistic director of Royal Ballet. Created ballets with elaborate costumes and large casts such as Romeo & Juliet. His choreography often explored human relationships and often ventured into complex and often tragic situations using characters from literature, his own imagination, and real life. Was knighted for his tremendous contribution to the world of ballet.
8. What was Katherine Dunham's contribution to modern dance?
University trained anthropologist as well as dancer/choreographer.
Her choreography included Caribbean and black American themes and had a Cuban flavor.
Her first concert was thought to be the beginnings of black concert dance.
Is called the "Matriarch of black dance".
Her work also had influenced on jazz dance.
9. Who is Ruth St. Denis?
Began career in Broadway. After marrying dance student Ted Shawn (1891-1972) formed Denishawn, a dance company and school.

They were very interested in other cultures, and their programs might include works appearing as Oriental, Spanish, Indian influenced. The dances were lush and beautiful, but not authentic.

The school was interested in educating the student not in dance alone, but educating the body, mind, and spirit. They used their students to form their company and performed not only across the U.S., but also Europe and Asia as well.

Many future modern dance contributors began studying with Denishawn.
10. Describe the dances of Denishawn.
Denishawn brought a view of the dance of other countries to American audience. Although the dances were not authentic. The main purpose was to educate the total dancer - meaning body, mind and spirit.
11. Who is Doris Humphrey?
Left Denishawn after 11 years to begin her own company with her partner Charles Weidman.
Developed a technique based on fall and recovery. Her choreography used contrasts of yielding to gravity and resisting gravity.
She left an incredible legacy of dances, many of which are in the permanent repertoire of contemporary modern dance companies.
Most of her dances were choreographed to classical music, although she was one of the first to choreograph a dance in silence, using the breath rhythm to keep her sixteen dancers in sync.
Lived and choreographed during the Depression, and felt that her choreography could serve as commentary about societal conditions.
Wrote a book on choreography which is still begin used today, The Art of Making Dances.
12. Who is Loie Fuller?
American dancer popular in Europe.

She was known for her
experimentation with mixed
media. She would use
hundreds of yards of silk
scarves or veils as part of
her costume, and with lights
would create wonderful
illusions by manipulating the
fabric.
She created quite a
sensation, and was very popular.
13. What is so important about Martha Graham? What was her choreography like?
Also left Denishawn to create her own company
Developed a technique that employed contracting and releasing. She revealed effort in her dancing unlike classical ballet, which tried to conceal it. Her style was percussive, angular, and rich with expression.
Her choreography explored many facets of society, and dealt with psychological issues. Many of her works portray mythological characters.
Some of her works:
-Appalachian Spring- set to Aaron Copland's music and depicts the life of a young pioneer married couple
-Cave of the Heart-portrays Medea
-Lamenatation-solo which portrays psychological anguish
13. Who is Merce Cunningham? What was his choreography like?
Former Graham dancer who became an influential experimentalist.
Often collaborated with avant garde composer John Cage.
Used chance choreography, which he thought might create patterns otherwise not seen.
Believed all points of the stage were of equal importance.
Believed that all components of a production were independent of one another.
Created "Events" where he would put old choreography to new music.
Collaborated with visual artists Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, and Robert Rauschenberg for sets and costumes.
Who is Alvin Ailey? What was his signature piece? What was his most
important contribution to the modern dance world?
Studied with Lester Horton, Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman.
Inspired by Katherine Dunham's movement vocabulary.
Became artistic director of Horton's company after Horton's death, even though he had been with the company a short time.
Left to create Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, one of the most popular of all American dance companies. The company was dedicated to the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance heritage and the uniqueness of the black cultural experience.
Created Revelations in 1960, which is a tribute to black heritage, set to old gospel music. Revelations is considered Ailey's signature piece.
Strove to create dances which were accessible to a large number of people, and combined many forms of dance for use in his choreography.
His company is world renowned.
Who is Alwin Nikolais? What makes him so important historically?
Student of Hanya Holm, one of the modern dance pioneers
Did not feel that the self had to be the main focus on stage, so he often had his dancers in costumes that made them appear as objects.
For each dance, he created his own score, costumes, props and lighting as well as choreography.
His works were mainly abstract.
Considered pioneer of multimedia dances.
Often collaborated with his partner, Murray Louis.
Nik is best remembered for his choreography that explored the use of lighting costumes, in a theatrical way.
17. What did Martha Graham choreograph about?
Also left Denishawn to create her own company
Developed a technique that employed contracting and releasing. She revealed effort in her dancing unlike classical ballet, which tried to conceal it. Her style was percussive, angular, and rich with expression.
Her choreography explored many facets of society, and dealt with psychological issues. Many of her works portray mythological characters.
Some of her works:
-Appalachian Spring- set to Aaron Copland's music and depicts the life of a young pioneer married couple
-Cave of the Heart-portrays Medea
-Lamenatation-solo which portrays psychological anguish
18. How is contemporary ballet different from Classical ballet? How are they
alike?
Different:
-classical ballet always has a storyline; most contemporary ballets focus on the movement.
-classical ballets are always danced to classical music. Contemp. Ballets may also use tis music, but also use abstract music or from specific genre, jazz music.
- there is always a pas de deux in classical ballet; which is not always in contrm. Ballet.
-Contempr ballet never does pantomime.
-female dancers always wear pointe shoes in classical ballet; they may or may not wear in contemp. Ballet.
-contemp ballet dancers curve, twist and bend their upper bodies, in classical dancers keep their spines erect.



Alike:
-both use vocabulary in French language
-both have strong relationship to music
-both utilizes dancers who are highly trained in their technique
-both the male and female dancers are featured on stage
19. How does modern dance differ from ballet?
Modern dance is relatively new dance form, evolving as a direct revolt against what was perceived as the restrictions of ballet.
20. How is modern dance different from post-modern dance?
- post modern dance were plotless and devoid of narrative
- traditional modern employs professional trained dancers; post modern used untrained dancers
- modern dance utilize costumes, post modern can perform in street clothes
- modern dances was often presented in theatres, post modern dance in different places
21. Describe the type of dance Trisha Brown was known for.
Founding member of Judson Dance Theatre
Makes great use of repetition and changing phrases (such as using same phrase, but changing the level, sequence, direction, or timing)
Her company performs worldwide
22. What were the post-modern choreographers trying to do?
They wanted to take choreography in a very different direction that their teachers. They believed more in movement than storyline, most works were abstract. They were leaders in a new and unconventional movement in the post modern movement.
Name some differences between the choreography of Nacho Duato and
Marius Petipa. (classical versus contemporary)
nacho duato modern dance rules
. How does Nacho Duato's choreography differ from that of Jiri
Kylian?
Nacho Is artistic director for the National Ballet of Spain, and is known for his choreography which possesses a sensibility for music, likened to that of his mentor, Jiri Kylian. Nacho duato difference - he included always something Spanish in his choreography.
25. Why is Paul Taylor so important to the world of modern dance?
He is considered to be one of the forerunners of the post modern dance.

Student of both Graham and Cunningham
Captivated the audience with his strong physical presence and smooth transitions.
Has worked in a variety of choreographic styles
Certain of his early works were studies in everyday ordinary movement that contrasted spurts of activity with complete stillness. One early dance consisted of Taylor in a suit walking on stage and standing for five minutes.
Other works, such as Roses and Airs, are extremely lyrical, using classically based movement. His works are extremely graceful and harmonic. Cloven Kingdom, a piece for four men in tuxes, shows Taylor's humor in an intricately choreographed piece set to percussion music.
His company Paul Taylor Dance is world-renown and his choreography remains fresh
. What makes Pilobolus so interesting as a modern dance company?
Began in 1971 at Dartmouth College as a collaborative choreographic process within a modern dance class taught by Alison Chase
Founding members: Moses Pendleton, Robby Barnett, Michael Tracy, Jonathan Wolkey and Alison Chase
With the exception of Alison Chase, none of the founding members were dancers.
Developed unique weight-sharing approach to partnering
Always humorous and inventive and always collaborative choreographically
Known worldwide, tours extensively
27. Give two characteristics of choreography by Mark Morris.
His use of music is different: before he choreographs a dance he studies the musical score and learn every phrase note and nuance of the piece.

one of today's leading modern choreographers
founder of Mark Morris Dance Company
choreographs for many varied dance companies around the world, and in great demand by ballet companies
marries music and dance expertly
Choreography sometimes irreverent, but always expertly crafted
Recently opened a new facility which houses school, company and rehearsal spaces
Tours worldwide; company critically acclaimed
Feels that the use of live music is most important, and insists on it for all New York performances
28. Name two things that Bill T. Jones is noted for.
Choreographs many dances dealing with emotional issues like death and AIDS; sometimes very controversial
Has very diverse company members, both in size and culture
Began company along with partner Arnie Zane, who died of AIDS
One of his dances still he used people with terminal illnesses
29. Who is Elizabeth Streb, and what kind of work does she do?
Created by Elizabeth Streb who wanted to
1. challenge accepted assumptions about
dance
2. explore camouflaging gravity and
presence or absence of transitions
3. look at the nature of spatial and temporal
dimensions and the use of sound
30. Who is David Parsons and what is his signature dance?
Student and member of Paul Taylor's company
Left to form his own company so that he could choreograph more
Choreography is dynamic and athletic, and includes abstract works, as well as those with an emotional content
Uses a variety of musical styles for his dances.
Signature piece Caught deals with movement which appears to be caught in the air without any landing
32. Name three accomplishments of Twyla Tharp.
Left to form her own company and developed a style of dance which combines many styles of dance.
Has choreographed for many ballet companies, was resident choreographer for ABT, and collaborated with Michail Baryshnikov on many works.
Her most recent endeavor is Movin' Out, a Broadway musical hit with music my Billy Joel. Her choreography is critically acclaimed, winning her a Tony Award in 2003.
-wrote books
-started post modern and left to different direction
Her technique is extremely difficult, combining ballet technique with pedestrian movements and quirky steps meant to be performed at almost impossible speeds.
Filmwork includes Hair, Ragtime, and Amadeus.
Jose Limon
Student of Humphrey and Weidman. Left to form own company Brought his enthnicity to modern dance worked with humprey.
Developed a technique which was close to his mentor's technique but unique enough to stand on its own. Included the drop swing motion and an arm gesture which became known in modern dance as "Limon arms", a very wide arcing of the arms.
His company is still performing his choreography and teaching his technique.
As a dancer, he brought an incredibly powerful energy to his movement, and is considered one of the premier modern dancers of the twentieth century.
Doris Humphrey became artistic director for his company and remained so until her death. This is highly unusual, but she felt Limon had much to offer the world of modern dance, and wanted him to succeed.
His most famous work is Moor's Pavane which retells the story of Shakespeare's Othello.
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