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Maturing American Dance

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Maturing American Dance

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  1. 20th Century American Dance

  2. 20th Century American Dance Maturing Classics: 1945-1959

  3. Maturing American Dance:1930-1944 “Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.” Gene Kelly

  4. Glance at The Past • The period form the end of World War II to 1959 encompassed the years of recovery from the war to • A new economy • A baby boom • The new lifestyle that came with living in the ‘burbs. “No man who owns his own house and lawn can be a communist. He has too much to do.” Life

  5. 20thCenturyAmerican Dance Maturing Classics:1945-1959 History and Political Science Although the postwar prosperity continued in the1950s the decade also: Began with a conflict with Korea Populations shifted to the Sunbelt and to the suburbs “Red Scares” as communism spread in the Far East Arms race between U.S and U.S.S.R. Cold war and backyard bomb shelters Eisenhower era focused on improving life at home 40,000 miles of interstate highways built. Space race in ‘57 with launching of Sputnik ‘59 Eisenhower and Krushchev began discussion of nuclear disarmament.

  6. 20th CenturyAmerican Dance Maturing Classics:1945-1959 Society and the Arts When American soldiers and sailors returned home after World War II, societal structure had changed: Women who had taken on jobs by done by men returned home, some stayed in the workforce. Men’s suits began more comfortable, women's wear reflected a more military influence. The “New Look” launched by Dior flaunted luxury fabrics and wide flared skirts. 1946 ….two piece bikini bathing suit. ‘50s was the all-American clean cut look for boys and girls. The Age of Wash ‘n Wear 40’s -60s bobby socks and white saddle oxfords

  7. 20th CenturyAmerican Dance Maturing Classics:1945-1959 Society and the Arts • When American soldiers and sailors returned home after World War II, societal structure had changed: • The Ozzie and Harriet Era • Television central to family life. • Films and movie musicals continued to thrill audiences • Birth of the Rhythm and blues. • Rock ‘n Roll! Haley and the Comets “Rock around the clock.” (1955) • ‘56 …Elvis • Popular dances included • Stroll • Bop • Hand jive • Calypso

  8. 20th CenturyAmerican Dance Maturing Classics:1945-1959 Popular Social Dance Americans kept jitterbugging through the ‘40s but dance styles began to change with the television premiere of American Bandstand in Philadelphia in 1956. Swing, sometimes called jive, replaced the Lindy. Basically the same dance, but less energetic and with repetition of steps. In the stroll, a slow line dance presented on American Bandstand, two parallel lines –boys in one, girls in the other-faced each other

  9. 20th CenturyAmerican Dance Maturing Classics:1945-1959 Social Dance: Latin Dances In the 1940s the mambo ignited the Latin dance craze. The mambo originated in Cuba and was a blend of African-Cuban rhythms mixed with North American Swing. The cha-cha (or cha-cha-cha) was one of the most popular Latin dances. A couple dance with little contact between the two partners, it included a variety of steps and hip movements. Papa loves Mambo Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White

  10. 20th CenturyAmerican Dance Maturing Classics:1945-1959 Maturing American Ballet Jerome Robbins 1944 ballet about three sailors on leave in New York , Fancy Free, captured the spirit of the times in an entertaining way. In the 1950s a cultural exchange between the Soviet Union and and the United States took place when the Bolshoi Ballet toured America.

  11. 20th CenturyAmerican Dance Dancers and Personalities West Side Story (1957) with Bernstein Fiddler on the Roof. Tony Awards for choreography and directing 1958 started his own company Ballet: USA Dances at the Gathering(1969) for NYCB 1970s-90s spent continued with NYCB Jerome Robbins(1918-1998) born Jerome Rabinowitz in New York City and raised in New Jersey, studied ballet, Spanish, Oriental, and modern dance along with violin, piano and acting..

  12. 20th CenturyAmerican Dance Dancers and Personalities Jacques D’Amboise(1934 - ) – Dancer, choreographer, teacher and director born in Dedham, Massachusetts, attended SAB and performed with Ballet Society and NYCB. Featured in: Seven Brides for Seven Brother(1954) Carousel (1956) 1960s he choreographed for NYCB 1976 founded the National Dance Institute He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin’(1984)

  13. 20th Century American Dance Dancers and Personalities Maria Tallchief (1925 - ): Born in Oklahoma, daughter of a chieftain of the Osage tribe. Studied in California with BronislavaNijinska. Early interpreter of Balanchine roles, was his wife in the 1940s Displayed a strong technique, brio style and excelled in Balanchine's neoclassic works.

  14. 20th CenturyAmerican Dance Dancers and Personalities Alexandra Danilova (1903 - ) – Trained at the Imperial Theatre and danced with the ballet of the Marinsky Theater 1930 - early 1950s danced with Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo Acknowledged as the foremost interpreter of Massine's ballets. One of the most prestigious ballerinas of the 1930s and 40s. After WWII she created roles in Balanchine Ballets and taught at SAB. Legendary fame in the U.S due to her touring and versatility in roles ranging from the classics to the dramatic.

  15. 20th CenturyAmerican Dance Dancers and Personalities Nora Kaye (1920-1987): Born Nora Koreff in New York, studied with Fokine and Tudor and danced with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, American Ballet and Ballet Theatre Known for her ability to perform dramatic roles, she created the role of Hagar in Tudor’s Pillar of Fire(1942)

  16. 20th Century American Dance Ballet Companies and Schools Ballet Theatre Gave its first performance in London in 1946 and ten years later celebrated its tenth anniversary… Lucia Chase still at the helm. 1957, back in New York, the company started to focus on new choreographers and works. Some came out of Ballet Theatre Workshop, begun in 1956. Became American Ballet Theatre in 1957 and through its touring became a cultural ambassador to much of the world.

  17. 20th Century American Dance Ballet Companies and Schools Ballet Society After the war Kirstein and Balanchine renewed efforts to form a ballet company that would present new works in collaboration with other contemporary artists. A nonprofit subscription organization, presented two seasons 1946 and 1947 of avante-garde works with choreography by: Balanchine Lew Christensen Todd Bolender William Dollar John Taras Merce Cunningham Balanchine's work Orpheus was the most significant piece produced during the second season.

  18. 20th Century American Dance Ballet Companies and Schools New York City Ballet NYCB, an outgrowth of Ballet Society, opened in at the New York City Center of Music and Drama in 1948 Beginning in the 1950s NYCB began touring major American cities and abroad as an established New York company. 1963 received its first Ford Foundation Grant 1964 moved to its new permanent home at the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center.

  19. 20th Century American Dance Ballet Companies and Schools Ballet: USA Was the vision of Jerome Robbins and made its first appearance in the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy in 1958. Toured Europe extensively, but was unable to gain an American following. Moves – danced in silence. NY Export: Opus Jazz – danced in t-shirt and jeans, danced classical movements with a cool jazzy flavor. Events –”the fantastic confusion that the ordinary day holds for everyone.” Robbins

  20. 20th Century American Dance Significant Dance works & literature Dance works: Fancy Free (1944) – Robbins captured the American spirit with his story of three sailors on leave in New York who try to pick up girls on a hot summer evening The Four Temperaments (1946) Balanchine's thematic ballet in four sections representing the four temperaments or humors: Melancholic(male solo), Sanguinic(pas de deux), Phlegmatic(male solo) and Choleric(female solo). Les Patineurs(1946) – by Ashton for the Vic-Wells Ballet, this light ballet portrays 19th century skaters as engaging individuals and couples as they dance on a mock frozen pond. Theme and Variations - (1947) Balanchine plot-less ballet that captures a vision of 19th century Russian Imperial Ballet and transports it into the 20th century.

  21. 20th Century American Dance Significant Dance works & literature Dance works: Orpheus (1948) – Balanchines retelling of the ancient myth with neoclassical choreography, scenery and costumes by Isamu Noguchi and music by Stravinsky.. The Combat (1953) – created by William Dollar as a pas de deux, The Duel, was staged for New York City Ballet in 1950. Story line pertains to a pagan princess killed in a duel by her lover, who was unaware of her identity. Agon(1957) – Balanchine’s abstract work for a 12 member ensemble. Considered the definitive ballet of neoclassical style. Agnon means contest, the ballet is a series of contests between individuals and groups.Includes the first interracial pas de deux by Arthur Mitchell and Diana Adams.

  22. 20th Century American Dance Significant Dance works & literature Dance works: . Miss Julie (1958) – Originally choreographed for the Swedish Ballet in 1950, Brigit Culberg restaged it for Ballet Theatre in 1958. Based on Strindberg’s by the same name, the tragic, expressionistic ballet dramatizes a woman’s desire, passion, and death. Episodes (1959) – Balanchine and Graham created a two-part work set to music by Anton von Webern. One part showcased modern dance and the other ballet.. Graham choreographed the first half and her dancers performed it. Balanchine did the second half and it included a pas de deux and solo for modern dancer Paul Taylor.

  23. 20th Century American Dance Significant Dance works & literature Dance Literature: The Classical Ballet: Basic Technique and Terminology(1952) – by Muriel Stuart and Lincoln Kierstein. Barre exercise and steps I, presented in sequence of anatomical drawings, delineated Russian ballet technique and explicit directions were provided on how to perform each part of the step. Complete Book of Ballets (1938) – Cyril Beaumont The Dance Encyclopedia (1947) – Anatole Chujoy Looking at Dance(1949) – Edwin Denby

  24. Modern History summary The end of WWII to 1959 was a time of maturation of dancers and choreographers, as the y captured the and communicated the new American ballet to audiences throughout the United States and the world. Meanwhile, smaller, homegrown American ballet companies continued to develop their won dancers and choreographers in cities such as Atlanta, San Francisco and Philadelphia.

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