Hubbard_Teacher_Guide_-_FINAL

HISTORYMODERN + CONTEMPORARY DANCE: KEY PLAYERS*NOTE: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is a contemporary dance company;however, modern dance influenced the movement styles and dance-making of many,if not most American and European artists in the 20th and 21st centuries.MODERN DANCE DEVELOPED in the U.S. and Europe in the 20 th century as a reaction against the rigidity of classical ballet. Whereasclassical ballet restricted expression because choreography had to adhere to a specific form, modern dance focused more on expression. Itis difficult to capture the developments of modern dance without seeing actual pieces, but one way to trace its history is to trace througha few of its key movements and choreographers. The stories of these choreographers show how they pushed the limits of the question ofwhat is dance, and illustrate the fact that it is okay to have many different points of view on the subject of dance. Keep in mind that thisonly represents a small fraction of the numerous choreographers involved in modern and contemporary dance.THE FOUNDERS The founders of modern dance were all influenced by the idea that dance did not just have to be a momentarydiversion of entertainment, and that it could move audiences in a deep and serious way. In the beginning, they often compromisedtheir artistic beliefs to gain a following; the later founders rebelled much more strongly against their traditional ballet roots.LOIE FULLER(1862 – 1928)Loie Fuller was a self-taught dancer,noted for improvisatory performances inwhich she would manipulate a filmy silkdress into shapes through her dance. Herlighting techniques and her airy sculpturalstyle of dance were also viewed asinnovative.ISADORA DUNCAN(1877 – 1927)Heavily inspired by Loie Fuller, IsadoraDuncan choreographed dance that grewout of her personal responses to greatmusic. She also loved the civilizations ofancient Greece and often danced in a tunic.Duncan founded schools in Germany,France, and Russia.MAUDE ALLEN(1873 – 1956)Just like Isadora Duncan, many of MaudeAllen’s works were the result of herappreciation of music. The two actuallyengaged in brief conflict during whichDuncan accused Allen of imitating herart, but the problems were resolvedquickly. Allen liked to call her style “dramaticdancing.”32 UMS 09-10