DANCE LECTURE 2 DANCE HISTORY: 21 ST CENTURY MODERN DANCE

VOCAB. #2: INTRO. DANCE A’terre – on the ground Battement frappe – struck beating Bras - arms Bras bas – low arms Corps de ballet – a body of dancers who dance in groups forming the “chorus” of a ballet Elance - darting Elevation – raising, lifting, loftiness – the ability of a dancer to attain height in dancing En - in En dedans – inward En haut – on high

VOCAB. #2: INTER. DANCE A la quartirieme derriere – to the 4 th behind A’terre – on the ground Ballonne – bounded, ball-like, balloon Ballotte – toss about Barre – bar Battu - beaten Battement Frappe – struck beating Bourree – series of quick little steps in 5 th position releve, changing weight from one foot to the other Bras - arms Bras bas – low arms

VOCAB. #2: ADV. DANCE A’droite – to the right A’la quartirieme derriere – to the 4 th behind A’terre – on the ground Ballonne – bounded, ball-like, balloon Ballotte – toss about Battu – beaten Battement frappe – struck beating Bras bas – low arms Brise - broken Cabriole – caper, leap

DORIS HUMPHREY Born 1895 Studied at the Denishawn School Met Charles Weidman  Moved to NY together Started their own company, Humphrey-Weidman Known for, “The Shakers,” about religious groups  notated in Labanotation Artistic Director of Jose Limon Dance Company after retirement in 1945 Original faculty of The Julliard School (1951)

KATHERINE DUNHAM Born 1909 Studied anthropology and was rewarded scholarships to study dances of the Caribbean Style was a blend of African and Caribbean movement integrated with ballet and modern techniques Renowned through out Europe and Latin America Started the company, Ballet Negres  formed in The Katherine Dunham Dance Company Signature work called, “Shango” Known was the “Queen Mother of Black Dance”/”Dancer Katherine the Great”

MERCE CUNNINGHAM/JOHN CAGE Born: 1919 – 2009 Began dancing: Moved to NY and studied at the American School of Ballet Soloist with Martha Graham Dance Company Founded his own dance co. in 1953 at Black Mountain College Worked with John Cage throughout his career Created dances by using the Chance Dance method Was part of the founding committee of the choreography computer program called DanceForms Cunningham choreographed, “Points in Space,” in 1986 with composer John Cage, which incorporated film and live dance. Innovative for the time. Took into account the multiple points of view of the camera.

JOSE LIMON Mexican-American, born 1908 Studied under Humphrey and Weidman in 1928 in NY First dance work called, “Danzas Mexicanas” in 1938 Appeared on Broadway in several shows choreographed by Weidman Began Jose Limon Dance Company in 1946  Humphrey = Artistic Director Created movement technique known to be proud, generating a high carriage of the torso, arms and head Limon Dance Company’s first work, “The Moon’s Pavane,” conveyed the jealousey, remorse and rage of Shakespeare's, “Othello” Joined faculty at Julliard in

PAUL TAYLOR Born present Began as a painter and soloist with the Martha Graham Dance Company Dubbed the “naughty boy” of dance His work focused on taboos and untraditional themes, shocking audiences. Broke many boundaries that 1 st generation modern choreographers had not dared to consider. Choreographed the Emmy award winning piece, “Speaking in Tongues” Used gestures and stances from the street. Composed dances of everyday gestures, such as checking a watch or waiting for a bus.