Showtunes & Modern
Michelle Mullings ~ Miller PE 1st Period ~ Jan 2014
Origin of Showtunes
Showtunes, also known as broadway dance, derived from Vaudeville, which was created as comedic relief for people in big cities in America beginning in the 1880s and through the 1920s. Vaudeville was comprised of comedians, singers, plate-spinners, ventriloquists, dancers, musicians, acrobats, animal trainers, and anyone else who could keep an audience entertained for a while. It was made of over 25,000 performers and was the most popular form of entertainment in America. Vaudeville left its greatest mark in TV and movies, and broadway was a "rebirth of the musical comedy" that was influenced by vaudeville acts, incorporating music into plays, also known as musicals.
Leaders in Showtunes
The Nicholas Brothers (1914–2006), (1921–2000)
Comprised of Fayard and Harold Nicholas (deaths listed above in respective order), the Nicholas Brothers were famous young tap dancers who performed in vaudeville acts.
Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977)
Joined Blackmore's Theatrical Agency at the age of 14. Chaplin was a famous performer in vaudeville, and later on, silent films.
Our Showtunes Dance
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Origin of Modern Dance
Modern dance started out in the United States (and some parts of Germany) as a rebellion against the rigidness of classical academic ballet in the late 19th, early 20th century. Its creators sought out to inspire their audiences of inner and outer realities, a goal shared by all subsequent modern dancers.
Leaders in Modern Dance
Isadora Duncan (1877-1927)
The Mother of Modern Dance. Said that ballet was "ugly & against nature." She wanted her modern dance style to be free & natural, dancing in bare feet instead of the usual ballet slippers. She shocked or delighted audiences by baring her body & soul in what she called "free dance." She weaved & whirled in flowing natural movements that came from her center.
Loie Fuller (1862–1928)
A pioneer in modern dance. She manipulated huge folds of silk while having beams of colored light flash onto them, creating beautiful visuals as she danced.
Ruth St. Denis (1879-1968)
Another pioneer in modern dance, Denis introduced eastern ideas into the art.
Our Modern Dance
Bibliography
"Isadora Duncan, 1877-1927: The Mother of Modern Dance." VOA. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Jan. 2014. <http://learningenglish.voanews.com/content/isadora-duncan-1877-1927-the-mother-of-modern-dance-101714348/114147.html>.
"Modern Dance." Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2014. <http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/entertainment/modern-dance-the-beginnings-modern-dance.html>.
"About Vaudeville." PBS. PBS, 8 Oct. 1999. Web. 12 Jan. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/vaudeville/about-vaudeville/721/>.
Manslon, Laurence, and Michael Kantor. "Vaudeville and Broadway." PBS. PBS, 2 Dec. 2008. Web. 12 Jan. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/makeemlaugh/episodes/history/vaudeville-and-broadway/31/>.
Schwartz, Shelly. "Charlie Chaplin." About.com 20th Century History. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2014. <http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/a/Charlie-Chaplin.htm>.