The indelible ballet dancer and choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky helped usher in a new era of ballet. As a leading dancer for Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, he redefined the male presence in classical ballet, bringing athleticism and range to what had previously been a supporting role. His controversial choreographic works are now considered some of the […]
Originally published in print August 2015 Anna Sokolow (1910–2000) was a prolific choreographer fiercely committed to social justice and unafraid to deal with difficult subjects in her work—like war, poverty, isolation and strife. Born in Connecticut to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, Sokolow moved to New York City as a child and studied dance at an after-school […]
For the up-and-coming generation, dance history doesn’t always sound like the most exciting course. But for students at The Ailey School, former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer Renee Robinson is bringing enthusiasm to the class by helping her students make personal connections to the past. Robinson’s training began with classical ballet at 9 years […]
1. How did Frankie Manning transform Lindy hop? 2. What was the name of the Harlem ballroom that housed Lindy hop? 3. Though Manning staged many of the dances his group performed, whose name identified their troupes? 4. True or False: Manning appeared at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. 5. True or False: Manning learned […]
Fayard and Harold Nicholas, aka the Nicholas Brothers, were known for their one-of-a-kind “flash act” performances, characterized by full-bodied animation, rhythmic perfection and fearless stunts. They were among the first African-American entertainers to break through the segregation of pre-Civil-Rights-era America and be featured in integrated films. Growing up in Philadelphia, Fayard learned to dance by […]
1. Through what societal group did Gades find his calling in flamenco? 2. Name the choreographer who discovered Gades at age 16 and gave him his stage name. 3. What did Gades and the choreographer mentioned above contribute to Spanish dance? 4. Who provided Gades with his virile technique? 5. Why did Gades think that […]
Read up on Edwin Denby’s contributions to dance criticism here, then test your students’ knowledge with this quiz! 1. Denby enrolled at ________ University at age ________. 2. Denby studied modern dance at the ________-________School in Vienna. 3. What was the first Balanchine ballet Denby saw 4. What was Denby’s cat’s name? 5. Editor ________ […]
Until the late 1970s, a slight, regal man with radiant white hair was a quiet fixture at theaters throughout New York City. Edwin Denby (1903–1983), an established dance critic and poet, saw as many styles of dance as he possibly could. Though Denby rarely spoke—and when he did, he whispered—his silent authority carried a far […]
Charismatic performer, prolific choreographer and model of elegance, José Limón (1908–1972) sought to humanize modern dance. Although it was never codified, his technique that incorporated Doris Humphrey’s theories of fall and recovery with an emphasis on breath and weight is considered a crucial component of the modern dance lexicon. Born in Mexico as the oldest […]
Following World War II, modern dance in Germany experienced a shift. Out of Mary Wigman and Rudolf Laban’s Ausdruckstanz, or expressionist dance, a new genre grew: Tanztheater (dance theater). Poetic and pedestrian movement mixed with text, drama and sets to form highly theatrical works. German choreographer Pina Bausch is most associated with Tanztheater, and her […]