Objective 1: Learn the historical and

cultural concepts and evolution of

modern dance to post modern.

Objective 2: Focus on the modern and

post modern styles of Mary Wigman,
Merce Cunningham, Jose Limon, Lester
Horton Isadora Duncan, Mark Morris,
Trisha Brown
 A written assessment of short answer and
reflection. Take Home 
 Three groups will be created and you will be
assigned to create a timeline of either:
 1st Generation Modern Choreographers
1920-1950
 2nd Generation Modern Choreographers
1950-1980
 2rd Generation Modern Choreographers
1980-Present
 Modern dance was created in revolt against
traditional ballet in the late 1920’s to early
1930’s.
 Self expression was dominant over technique
and discipline
 The techniques were developed over time
through experimentation
 Modern dance was often viewed as “ugly” and
un appealing to general audiences in the
beginning.
 Went against the constraints of ballet using
childlike movements like running and
skipping to express herself
 Although born in America she spend most of
her time performing in Europe
 At the height of her fame both of her children
died
 She adopted all of her dancers called the
“Isadorables”
 She died in a freak auto accident
 What words would you use to describe her
style of dancing?
 Her movement inspiration came off of a
picture of Egyptian Deities she saw in her
young days as a dancer
 She fashioned her dance style off of folklore
from Japan, India, and China
 She married Ted Shawn and they opened the
Denishawn School of Dance
 This dance is suppose to be reminiscent of a
street dancing girl in India. How would you
compare this to what people think of as
street dancing today in America? Do women
street dance often in our country?
 First male to achieve popular influence in
America by starting first all male dance
company in 1933
 He founded Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival
 Married to Ruth St. Denis and they ran the
Denishawn School of Dance
 How would you compare or contrast the
styles of Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn in
these particular videos?
 Describe the movement referencing the five
elements of dance: space, time,
effort/energy, body and relationship.
 He was born in Mexico and his choreography
was influenced by Spanish dancing and music
as well as the rituals of bullfighting and the
violence of the Mexican Revolution
 As an young adult he enrolled In dance
classes at the Humphrey Weidman Studio.
(Two other noted modern dance pioneers_
 The Limon Dance Company was formed in
1946
 Why is it important to develop you dramatic
ability as a dancer? What do you think Limon
emphasized more after viewing an excerpt
from his work; the dance or the drama?
 What do you prefer?
 Created his own codified modern dance
technique still used widely for training today
 Studied at the Denishawn, ballet modern and
native american dance
 First group of Lester Horton dancers
appeared in 1932
 What outside elements are being used here
by Merce Cunningham and how do think
experimenting like this helps modern dance
advance?
 What message does this style of movement
convey to you?
 Do you feel the choreographer is trying to
convey a message?