By: Teagan ReeseSam WallmanAmber Woods

15th century France and Italy Modern dance broke away

from the classical companies Characteristics:

Storyline is a fairytale or fable

Elaborate costumes Pantomime to show the

plot Modern dancers wanted to

feel more expression in the upper body, have a better connection with movement, and be able to have a more fluid approach.

Originated in the early 20th century Pioneered a new freer movement style.

Favoring bare feet v. pointe shoes. Early subject matter was often

political or psychological. Many drew from archaic or exotic

sources. Rejected structural formality and

sometimes thematic frivolity.

Was Born 1877 in San Francisco Was interested in Greek styles of dance Emancipated woman ahead of her time Given a school by the government of

Russia Danced to the rhythm of life, this was

Isadoras dance technique. Had a traumatic life which influenced

the rest of her dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhzjCSqwL_0&feature=related

Started with ballet, skirt dancing and the Delsarte technique

Characteristics of her new style: Exotic Theatrical Spiritual based

Inspired by the Egyptian Deities Cigarette poster

Put more religious and spiritual feelings into classical dance

Took movements from Egypt and Asia Radha (1906) East Indian Nautch Dance (1932)

Cigarette Poster: Powerful Stance

Was captured by the colorful plants and exotic wildlife

Sitting at the foot of the Nile

Was an Influential American dancer, teacher, and choreographer of modern dance

Ballets and other works were intended to “reveal the inner man.”

Became acquainted with oriental art Enchanted by the religious mysticism of

Ruth St. Denis. Performed an Aztec Ballet (Xochitl)

In 1953, Merce Cunningham Dance Company was formed.

Was a lifetime partner with John Cage.

Fused Grahm’s technique with ballet.

He and Cage created many radical innovations.

Decided that dance and music should be independent from one another. Most famous and

controversial conclusion they had proposed.

Stripped dance of it’s literary and narrative context.

Isolated it from it’s musical accompaniment

By the end of the 20th century, the barriers between ballet and modern dance were less pronounced.

Influenced by the idea of chance. Located the source of movement in the

spine. Bare-footed Embraced the natural movements

of running, jumping and falling. Unlike ballet, used noise like breathing

or foot scuffles.

Her parents ran a drive-in movie theater. She was exposed to

popular culture. Later incorporated this

into her dances. Founded Twyla Tharp

dance. Combined ballet

technique with natural movements like running, walking and skipping.

Wanted to evolve a technique that they felt they owned. Reverted back to

simple movements, that they felt belonged to everybody.

Created “Deuce Coupe” which used both modern & ballet techniques. This combination was

sometimes called the “cross-over” ballet.

Worked less with contemporary music and more with classical, pop, clicking monotones or silence. Audiences loved her physical daring and

jazz roots. Caught viewers attention with her 1971

piece, The Fugue. “no costumes, no music, no lights…”

Twelve years later she returned to the simplicity of The Fugue with In The Upper Room.

Contemporary (Lyrical): Fusion of Modern, Ballet, and Jazz Conveys emotion of the songs lyrics

through body movements Story throughout the song evolves

Modern Dance now: Has blended with other forms of dance Less strictly Modern dancers Companies have molded it into their

performance art

Modern dance influenced today's ballet companies

Contemporary ballet: George Balanchine- founder of the

contemporary ballet Less classical tutus, flowing costumes,

story less ballets, prominent role of the corps de ballet, developing prominence of the male dancer

Ballet dancers wanted more expression, focus to be put on their movements, but were less radical than the modern dancers

Martha Graham Dance Company Isadora Duncan Dance Company Twyla Tharp Dance Merce Cunningham Dance Company

Alvin Ailey Complexions Contemporary Ballet Hubbard Street