Administration and licensing of humphreys choreography is provided by the following entities. This is perhaps the most important book on choreography ever published. Written just before her death in 1958, it is miss humphrey s autobiography in art, a gathering together of her experiences in performance and a lucid and practical source book on choreography. Doris humphrey nude in hoop dance names albee, wayne photographer collection. Doris wrotepublished the art of making dances before she died in 1958. Doris batcheller humphrey october 17, 1895 december 29, 1958 was an american dancer and choreographer of the early twentieth century.
Doris humphrey was a dancer and choreographer of the early 20th century who. Doris batcheller humphrey october 17, 1895 december 29, 1958, dancer and choreographer wikipedia fair use doris batcheller humphrey was a dancer of the early twentieth century. The story of the life and works of modern dance pioneer doris humphrey 18951958 is the focus of this documentary. Now available in paperback, days on earthoriginally published in 1988 yale university presstraces the dance career and artistic development of one of the founders of american modern dance. Born doris batcheller humphrey on october 17, 1895, in oak park, illinois. She gave a visual and physical life to the music but didnt attempt to provoke any emotion or portray a story to the audience. Her performing career was cut short by arthritis, and humphrey turned to choreography, creating the first course in it at the dance department of new yorks 92nd street ymha. Doris humphrey was bornon october 17, 1895 in chicago, united states, is dancer and choreographer. Doris humphrey chamber dance company archive library. Narrated by doris humphrey, lindsay crouse, and ina hahn written and directed by ina hahn featuring rare archival footage of doris humphrey and the humphrey weidman company. Dance books dance dvds princeton book company dance. The art of making dances by doris humphrey alibris. Published after her death, the book is a tribute to her legacy of providing a formal methodology of the craft of choreography.
Though, this book is an exposition of the subjective position and insight of the author about how a choreographer should create choreography. Directing the dance legacy of doris humphrey looks inside four of doris humphreys major choreographic workswater study 1928, the shakers 1931, with my red fires 1936, and passacaglia 1938with an eye to how directorial strategies applied in recent contemporized stagings in the united states and europe could work across the modern and contemporary dance genre. Humphreys legacy includes a certain amount of documentary literature, including her seminal book on the craft of choreography, the. Doris humphrey was born in oak park, illinois, in 1895 and grew up in chicago. Her seminal book on choreography, the art of making dances, was published posthumously in 1959. Doris was born in oak park, illinois, but grew up in chicago. Denis was responsible for most of the creative work, and shawn was responsible for teaching technique and composition. She was an original faculty member of both the bennington school of the dance and the julliard school and was the cofounder of the humphrey weidman dance company.
Doris humphreys the art of making dances is perhaps the most important book of. Doris humphreys choreography was not based on oriental or exotic dance but on themes. Doris humphreys choreography checklist dancing recklessly. During doris humphreys last months of life, she also found time to finish the art of making dances, a book on choreographic techniques, and to begin the story of her life. Her book, the art of making dances, appeared posthumously in 1959. Doris humphrey, pioneer in american modern dance and an innovator in technique, choreography, and theory of dance movement. What are some of the best books for choreography dance. Doris humphrey choreography princeton book company dance. A choreological perspective on choreography by valerie preston dunlop a choreographers handbook by jonathan burrows my body, the buddhist by deborah hay the ar. Etude patetico 1928 doris humphrey performance youtube. Project muse directing the dance legacy of doris humphrey.
In 1917, after graduating from high school and teaching dance in chicago for four years, she joined the. Humphrey has given us the first modern book on the art of choreography. Doris humphrey was a dancer and choreographer of the early 20th century who studied and taught dance. Directing the dance legacy of doris humphrey by lesley. Doris batcheller humphrey october 17, 1895 december 29, 1958 was an american dancer. Humphrey, doris 18951958american pioneer in the performance, teaching and choreography of modern dance, known for articulating the meaning of dance and the process of choreography. Doris humphrey s the art of making dances is perhaps the most important book of its kind ever published. Besides viewing masterworks on stage and screen, and struggling in the dance studio, young and emerging choreographers can also turn to books and learn more about the. Denis, and ted shawn in exploring the use of breath. Humphrey wrote the art of making dances, published posthumously in 1959, and it is still used as a text for dance composition courses. Humphrey did not intend for her choreography to tell a story or evoke an emotion.
More significant, perhaps, is the influence it can have in the future. One of the first modern dance choreographers, american doris humphrey 18951958 played a large role in determining the course of modern dance in the united states. As doris humphrey created her dance theory about the fall and recovery of movement, she claims that it was highly inspired by a germain philosophizer, friedrich nietzsches book, the birth of tragedy. Doris humphrey had a significant influence on the development of modern dance in the united states. Written just before humphreys death in 1958, it is her autobiography in art, a gathering of her experiences in perf. Charles humphrey woodford this collection of essays, lectures and notes reveals the inspiration behind the creation of the choreography of modern dance founder doris humphrey. Buy the art of making dances by doris humphrey online at alibris.
Doris humphrey was an early twentieth century dancer and choreographer, hailed as one of the first modern dance choreographers who played a pivotal role in. What was the difference between grahams use of contraction and release and humphreys use of the same. Unlike the denishawn approach in choreography, finding inspiration from abroad, humphrey sought inspiration from within. Siegel follows humphreys career from her days with the denishawn company among fellos students like martha graham to her. Charles weidman was humphreys choreographic and dance partner in the 1920s. Dance horizons has an extensive resource of books, dvds and videos celebrating the life and work of modern dance pioneer doris humphrey. In this biography of dance pioneer doris humphrey, marcia b.
I used it only somewhat then, as assigned in university dance courses. Humphrey was an avid and talented student of dance from an early age. Doris humphreys the art of making dances is perhaps the most important book of its kind ever published. It was in this book that humphrey read about idea of the split in the human psyche between each persons apollonian side rational, intellectual and our dionysian side chaotic, emotional.
The art of making dances, a book humphrey penned in the last years of her life, elucidates her theories of choreography. Narrated by doris humphrey, lindsay crouse, and ina hahn written and directed by ina hahn featuring rare archival footage of doris humphrey and the humphreyweidman company. Humphreys codification of fall and recovery and the development of a movement vocabulary based on its rhythms stands today as an important tradition in the modern dance family tree. A centennial issue choreography and dance studies series mindlin, naomi on. Her choreography emphasized the structure, design, and dynamics of music and its relationship with movement. Doris humphrey was notable for her carefully conceived and wholly original method and theory of dance, and her works were founded on both artistic philosophies and practical principles. She began her professional career in 1918 as a member of the denishawn company. Restaging of doris humphreys the shakers, performed by students at the 5th annual doris humphrey technique workshop in oak park, ill. A centennial issue choreography and dance studies series. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the us or from the uk, depending on stock availability. Choreographers learn best from other choreographers. Directing the dance legacy of doris humphrey looks inside four of doris humphreys major choreographic workswater study 1928, the shakers 1931, with my red fires 1936, and passacaglia 1938with an eye to how directorial strategies applied in recent contemporized stagings in the united states and europe could work across the. Its her autobiography in art, a gathering together of her experiences in performance and a lucid and practical source book on choreography. Doris humphrey, like her contemporary martha graham, was interested in making dance more reflective of modern times.
The dances of doris humphrey creating a contemporary. The doris humphrey collection, by virtue of its size and contents, is a remarkable historical record with one of americas great original artists as central focus. Along with her contemporaries martha graham and katherine dunham, humphrey was one of the second generation modern dance pioneers who followed their forerunners including isadora duncan, ruth st. She codified this system in her book the art of making dances 1958. Doris humphrey was a dancer and choreographer of the early 20th. Denis founded the denishawn school and dance company with her husband ted shawn. Doris humphrey was solely interested in the pure aesthetics of the dance, a very modern interpretation of the art. She, along with other pioneers, changed forever the way dancers move, the way choreography is conceived, and the way audiences experience dance. Doris humphrey choreography princeton book company.
Written just before her death in 1958, it is miss humphreys autobiography in art, a gathering together of her experiences in performance and a lucid and practical source book on choreography. In collaboration with charles weidman, she developed the concept of fall and recoveryusing the pattern of breath to inform movement. Footage from gail corbins preparatory rehearsals with the students provides a detailed breakdown and analysis of the choreography. Humphrey was responsible for the creation of the first concrete, fully articulated choreographic method for modern dancemakers. Doris humphreys the art of making dances was written just before her death in 1958.
Now, in the 21st century, that little book has fallen apart from repeated use. One of the truly great figures in the dance world a pioneer of american modern dance, a great choreographer and teacher whose influences and innovations are apparent. The choreography, teachings and legacy of doris humphrey. While martha graham was a contemporary whose career lasted longer and had a broader influence, humphrey, an early abstractionist, like george balanchine, had an equally important role in. Doris humphrey was a dancer and choreographer who played a key role in shaping the course of modern dance in the us. Written by one of the master pioneers of american modern dance, the art of making dances was doris humphreys final effort before she died in 1958. Etude patetico 1928 doris humphrey performance glauco araujo.