1. Twentieth CenturyModern Dance “The body says what words cannot.” -Martha Graham

2. Definition of Modern Dance Modern Dance: A style of theatrical dancing that is not as restricted as classical ballet; movements are expressive of feelings. It is an expressive form of art.

3. History & Influence Originated in the United States In the early 1900’s Started as a rebellion against the strict style of classical ballet Based on Utopian ideals First seen as extremely radical

4. Characteristics of Modern Dance Interpretive instead of using sets of steps and dance books Looks improvised Loose movement Gravity plays and important role Tells a story though the dance Use motions, props, music, and lights to show emotions Costumes were important to the overall dance

5. Modern Dance Ballet Do a lot of floor work and choreography on the ground C-Shaped spine Barefoot or light shoes Heavy movements Costumes made to show movement Upright choreography like leaps and turns Erect spine Pointe shoes or ballet slippers Light on their feet Elegant structured costumes to show beauty

8. The Physics of Modern Dance Gravity: Use laws of gravity for falls, balancing, and elevation Important to maintain your natural height Center of gravity Action & Reaction: For every action there must be an equal and opposite reaction (Newton's third law) Centrifugal & Centripetal Forces Affect circular motion such as turns; revolve around an axis Inertia and Momentum

9. The Pioneers Martha Graham Ruth St. Denis & Ted Shawn Isadora Duncan Loie Fuller

10. Martha Graham(1894-1991) Mother of modern dance, not graham crackers! American dancer and choreographer Learned to dance at Denishawn Studio in NYC Inspiration for the routines came from a “certain string” First to establish moving scenery and speech with dancing Broke social norms on how dance was seen Founded her own dance company, technique, and theatre

11. Ruth St. Denis & Ted Shawn(1877-1960) Founded Ruth St. Denis School of Dancing and Related Arts (Denishawn) Based movements on other world dance forms East Asia, Egypt, Japan, India…

12. Isadora Duncan(1877-1927) American dancer Accrediting with inventing “modern dance” Barefoot, free flowing, Brought dance back to its roots from other cultures Grecian, folks, nature… while incorporating American athleticism

13. Loie Fuller(1862-1928) She was the first choreographer to incorporate lighting into her pieces Multicolored lights on silk First to use incandescent lights Had a traveling lighting team Responsible for multiple European tours Isadora Duncan

14. Critiques Hard to follow the storyline Not widely accepted at the time Audiences were intrigued by the new style

15. Influence on Today Modern dance has become more widely accepted and known Influenced other styles Especially post-modern dance and contemporary Most popular style of dance in the professional world Featured tours and television shows

16. “I thought I was seeing a revelation. Time stopped for me. I could not believe what I was seeing. Those works are engraved on my brain, my mind, my heart. I’ve never forgotten, never, the atmosphere on stage, the lighting… the use of props, the use of costume… the strongest, simplest, most powerful theater I think I’ve ever seen.” – Glen Tetley (critic)