HISTORY OF MODERN DANCE
In the early 1900s, dancers began to rebel against the rules and structure of ballet class. In doing so, they changed the costuming, shoes, techniques and began dancing in bare feet and more revealing attire.
Modern dance sparked newer genres of dance such as lyrical, contemporary, and then post modern. With each profession of genre, they strayed further and further from the restrictions of form.
Mary Wigman 1886 – 1973
From a choreographic and aesthetical production perspective, Mary Wigman is, after Laban, the first relevant, European, modern dance figure reported by modern dance history.
Loie Fuller 1862 – 1928
Developed a form of natural movement techniques that were used in conjunction with her lighting equipment and silk costumes.
Isadora Duncan 1877 - 1927
Was the first modern dancer, living in Western Europe for most of her life. She founded a school for dance in germany.
Ruth Saint Denis 1877 - 1968
Her choreographic pieces are noted for their big and spectacular formats, with elaborate sceneries and development of “musical visualizations”
Ted Shawn 1891- 1972
Member of the first all male company in modern dance history, He made tours around the United States and visited universities and attracted a lot of young students.
Doris Humphrey 1895 - 1958
“first person to codify her choreographing process, and wrote the first book that explains how to choreograph.”
Jose Limon 1908 - 1972
Responsible for spreading Humphrey’s technique in Europe. He also had his own choreographic works over social themes. He expressed a consciousness of the precarious state of humanity in his works.
Mary Wigman - 1920s
was the most highly regarded modern dancer and choreographer in Central Europe and one of the principal proponents of modern dance during the 1920s and ‘30s. Wigman’s choreography often employed non‐Western instrumentation such as bells, gongs, and drums from Asia and Africa.
Martha Graham 1894 - 1991
The most widely known figure in modern dance, and commonly known as the mother of modern dance. She danced and choreographed for over 70 years. She created an original choreographic vocabulary focused on the movement of the pelvis and core. In 1926, The Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance was established.
Alvin Ailey 1931 - 1989
Alvin Ailey has an important place in modern dance history for being the choreographer of the ‘black modern dance’.