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 Isadora
Duncan, Merce Cunningham, Jose
Limon, Lester Horton , Trisha Brown
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A written assessment of short answer and
reflection. Take Home 
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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
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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.
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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
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What words would you use to describe her
style of dancing?
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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
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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?
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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
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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.
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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
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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?
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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
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What outside elements are being used here
by Merce Cunningham and how do think
experimenting like this helps modern dance
advance?
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What message does this style of movement
convey to you?
Do you feel the choreographer is trying to
convey a message?