🪩Dance in American Cultures Unit 1 – Dance in American Cultures: An Introduction

Historical Context

• Dance has been an integral part of American culture since the colonial era, reflecting the diverse influences of indigenous, African, and European traditions
• During the 19th century, popular dance forms such as minstrel shows and vaudeville emerged, often perpetuating racial stereotypes and cultural appropriation
• The early 20th century saw the rise of modern dance pioneers like Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis, who challenged traditional ballet and sought to express individual creativity
• The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s celebrated African American cultural identity through dance styles like the Lindy Hop and tap dance
• Post-World War II, dance in America experienced a surge of innovation with the development of postmodern dance, led by choreographers such as Merce Cunningham and Trisha Brown
  • Postmodern dance rejected the formalism of modern dance and embraced experimentation, everyday movements, and unconventional performance spaces
• The civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s influenced the creation of dance works that addressed social and political issues, exemplified by the works of Alvin Ailey and Katherine Dunham
• In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, dance in America continued to evolve, incorporating elements of hip-hop, street dance, and global dance traditions

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Choreography: The art of creating and arranging dance movements and patterns
• Technique: The specific skills, methods, and principles used in executing dance movements
• Improvisation: The spontaneous creation of dance movements in the moment, often used as a tool for generating new choreographic material
• Musicality: The ability of a dancer to interpret and express the rhythms, dynamics, and mood of the accompanying music
• Ensemble: A group of dancers performing together, often in unison or complementary roles
• Motif: A recurring movement or gesture that serves as a thematic element in a dance work
• Proscenium stage: The most common type of theater stage, featuring a raised platform with a frame or arch separating the stage from the audience
• Site-specific dance: Choreography created for and performed in a specific non-theater location, such as a park, museum, or public space

Major Dance Styles and Genres

• Ballet: A classical dance form characterized by precise, graceful movements, pointe work, and elaborate costumes and sets
  • Major American ballet companies include New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and San Francisco Ballet
• Modern dance: A 20th-century dance form that emphasizes individual expression, natural movements, and departure from ballet's strict codes
  • Pioneering modern dancers include Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and José Limón
• Jazz dance: A style that originated from African American dance traditions, featuring syncopated rhythms, isolations, and improvisational elements
  • Notable jazz dance choreographers include Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, and Gus Giordano
• Tap dance: A percussive dance style in which dancers create rhythms and sounds with their feet, often performed to jazz music
  • Influential tap dancers include Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Fred Astaire, and Gregory Hines
• Hip-hop dance: A street dance style that emerged from the hip-hop culture of the 1970s, encompassing breaking, locking, popping, and krumping
  • Key hip-hop dance pioneers include Clive "Kool Herc" Campbell, Don "Campbellock" Campbell, and the Rock Steady Crew
• Postmodern dance: An experimental dance form that challenged the conventions of modern dance, incorporating pedestrian movements, chance procedures, and multimedia elements
  • Significant postmodern dance artists include Yvonne Rainer, Steve Paxton, and Lucinda Childs

Cultural Influences and Diversity

• African American dance traditions have profoundly shaped American dance, from the ring shouts of enslaved Africans to the development of jazz, tap, and hip-hop
• Native American dance practices, such as powwows and ceremonial dances, have persisted and evolved, serving as expressions of cultural identity and resilience
• Latin American dance styles, including salsa, mambo, and cha-cha, have gained popularity in the United States, reflecting the growing influence of Latinx communities
• Asian American dance artists have made significant contributions to American dance, often blending traditional forms like bharatanatyam and butoh with contemporary techniques
  • Notable Asian American choreographers include Shen Wei, Dana Tai Soon Burgess, and Ranee Ramaswamy
• The LGBTQ+ community has played a vital role in shaping American dance, from the subversive performances of the Harlem drag balls to the works of openly queer choreographers like Bill T. Jones and Mark Morris
• Disability dance has emerged as a powerful means of challenging ableist assumptions and celebrating the artistry of dancers with disabilities, as exemplified by the work of AXIS Dance Company and Dancing Wheels

Notable Choreographers and Performers

• George Balanchine (1904-1983): Russian-born choreographer who co-founded New York City Ballet and revolutionized American ballet with his neoclassical style
• Martha Graham (1894-1991): Pioneering modern dance choreographer known for her expressive, psychologically charged works and codified technique
• Alvin Ailey (1931-1989): African American choreographer who founded Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and created masterworks like "Revelations" that celebrate the Black experience
• Merce Cunningham (1919-2009): Avant-garde choreographer who collaborated with composer John Cage and visual artists like Robert Rauschenberg, employing chance procedures and abstract movement
• Twyla Tharp (b. 1941): Versatile choreographer who has worked in ballet, modern dance, and Broadway, known for her innovative blending of dance styles and collaborations with popular musicians
• Mikhail Baryshnikov (b. 1948): Russian-born ballet dancer who defected to the United States and became a star of American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet
• Misty Copeland (b. 1982): First African American female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, known for her technical prowess and advocacy for diversity in ballet
• Savion Glover (b. 1973): Virtuoso tap dancer and choreographer who has brought renewed attention to the art form through his innovative, rhythmically complex performances

Social and Political Impacts

• Dance has served as a powerful tool for social and political commentary, addressing issues such as racism, sexism, and LGBTQ+ rights
  • Examples include Pearl Primus's "Strange Fruit," which confronted lynching, and Bill T. Jones's "Still/Here," which grappled with the AIDS crisis
• During World War II, dance played a role in boosting morale and entertaining troops, with performers like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly starring in patriotic Hollywood musicals
• The civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s saw the emergence of dance works that celebrated Black pride and resilience, such as Alvin Ailey's "Revelations" and Eleo Pomare's "Blues for the Jungle"
• Dance has been a means of cultural diplomacy, with American companies touring internationally as ambassadors of U.S. culture and values
  • The State Department-sponsored international tours of the José Limón Dance Company and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater during the Cold War era exemplify this cultural exchange
• In recent years, dance has been at the forefront of movements for social justice, with choreographers creating works that address issues like police brutality, immigration, and climate change
• Dance education programs in schools and community centers have provided opportunities for youth empowerment, social-emotional learning, and cultural understanding

Contemporary Trends and Innovations

• Interdisciplinary collaborations between dance and other art forms, such as visual art, music, and technology, have become increasingly common
  • Examples include the immersive, multimedia performances of Company Wayne McGregor and the interactive digital works of Troika Ranch
• Site-specific and immersive dance experiences have gained popularity, inviting audiences to engage with dance in unconventional spaces and participatory ways
  • Punchdrunk's "Sleep No More" and Third Rail Projects' "Then She Fell" exemplify this trend
• Dance has embraced digital platforms and social media, with choreographers creating works specifically for online viewing and dancers using platforms like Instagram and TikTok to share their artistry
• The influence of street dance and hip-hop culture has continued to shape contemporary dance, with choreographers incorporating elements of breaking, krumping, and voguing into concert dance works
• There has been a growing emphasis on dancer wellness and injury prevention, with companies implementing cross-training programs and prioritizing mental health support
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion have become central concerns in the dance field, with initiatives aimed at increasing representation, accessibility, and cultural competency in dance organizations and training programs

Critical Analysis and Appreciation

• When analyzing dance works, consider elements such as choreographic structure, movement vocabulary, use of space, music or soundscape, costuming, and lighting design
• Examine the cultural, historical, and social contexts in which dance works were created, and how these contexts shape their meaning and impact
• Assess the technical proficiency and artistic expression of individual dancers and the ensemble as a whole
• Reflect on the emotional and intellectual resonance of the work, and how it communicates themes, narratives, or abstract ideas
• Consider the choreographer's intent and how effectively the work realizes that vision
• Evaluate the originality and innovation of the work, and how it contributes to the broader landscape of American dance
• Analyze the work's potential for social and political commentary, and how it engages with issues of power, identity, and representation
• Appreciate the diversity of dance styles, traditions, and voices that comprise the rich tapestry of American dance, and the ways in which dance reflects and shapes our cultural identity