A Brief History Of Modern Dance

Modern dance is frequently seen as the "arty" and "fashionable" stem of dance, but this is because many people don't really understand why and when modern dance came about. It is now frequently taught along side of performing arts and theatre studies as the expression and power to connect with the audience is a strong and potent possibility for aspiring dancers and actors.

In the early 1900s, dancers were feeling restricted by the formality and restrictions that they felt were being placed on them within the world of ballet.

In ballet, facial expressions and the expression of emotions are portrayed through steps that have been done a thousand times before. Although ballet was, and still is, terribly beautiful, to remain within this world offers no way for a dancer to freely express themselves.

Modern dance is a direct assault against the restrictions of this type of dance. It became more widely known in the early 1900s possibly as a reaction to the turmoil's that the world was facing.

It takes the grace of ballet and adds the freedom of emotion. This is meant to allow the audience to engage with the emotion of the piece with much more ease than the traditional dance.

There are three main women that have been accredited with the success of modern dance as we know it today. These women are:

Mary Wigman. Born in Germany, Mary taught schools during the second world war, renowned for her use of masks and ended her career teaching in the United States.
Ruth St. Denis, who founded one of the first dance departments in an American university. Heavily influenced by spirituality she brought the 'solo' to the forefront of dance.
Most importantly, Isadora Duncan, considered the founder of the modern dance movement. Born in the USA she married a Russian man and worked all over the world. Rejecting traditional dance steps in favor of improvisation, Isadora inspired artists throughout the early 20th century. Uninterested in the commercial use of dance she dedicated herself to educating young girls in the art of dance, founding schools in Germany, Russia and the United States. Killed in a freak accident related to her love of flamboyant, flowing scarves, Isadora Duncan's contribution to modern dance cannot be overestimated.

These women were among the masses of dancers who were tired of being so heavily restricted through the classical dance.

This art form has become increasingly popular as it offers endless possibilities. Modern dance has infiltrated the movies and Broadway most notably from the 1950s. The reason why modern dance has thrived is because of the energy and vitality it can express.

One of the most influential choreographers is Bob Fosse. This is because he incorporated modern dance with energetic Broadway performances such as Cabaret. Winning an Academy Award, a Tony and an Emmy, Bob brought innovative dance and choreography to society at large. His semi-autobiographical movie, All That Jazz has become the standard against which all other serious dance movies are judged.

In just about any musical produced, whether on screen or stage, it is likely to have a solid core of contemporary dance to help get the message and the plot across.

Modern dance is an act of rebellion against ballet, but despite this, much of the form and positioning still resemble that of ballet. Modern dance will continue to develop, unlike ballet, as it is open to a whole world of possibilities.

To personally learn more about this fascinating art form and become a star in your own right, The American Academy is one of the finest drama schools in London.

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A Brief History of the Commedia Dell'Arte

Commedia Dell'Arte is loosely translated as comedy through art. The term originated in Italy sometime in the 1500s. Performers of the time did not have many of the luxuries of today's performers, and masks were used to display various character faces. This actual term was made to distinguish what today would be known as "improv" from learned comedy.

This form of performing is noted throughout history. As it does today, much of the comedy of the time was used to poke fun at local governments or a situation that was occurring at the time. During local fairs or festivals, these performers would often be paid by the local town to keep attendees entertained in the streets. In most cases, these performances took place on makeshift stages.

One of the common props for performers of this time was the masks they used to take on the personality of the character which they were playing. These masks were similar to the more elaborate masquerade masks that people have as collectibles today. Of course, more common versions of them are still used for Mardi Gras and masquerade parties.

Some of the more famous troupes that performed during the origination of the art were the Accessi, Confidenti, and Gelosi. While these troupes were revered and citizens would flock to see them perform upon their arrival, not everyone in town, more specifically the clergy, were always happy to see them. The very nature of a traveling group of entertainers brought the fear of disease and other bad behavior to mind. During this time, the term vagabond was originally coined, a term that obviously holds a negative connotation.

While some of the performances and themes were controversial, there is little doubt in the influence this form of entertainment had on history. Some of the most famous artworks of the time are centered on depicting these troupes perform their shows. In addition to artwork, these early performances made quite an impact on the future of theater. Even William Shakespeare shows influences of Commedia Dell'Arte in some of his plays.

Performers have been around since ancient times, but the Commedia Dell'Arte is often given credit for the actual serious beginnings of public performances. While the methods have obviously changed, some of these early influences remain true today. In fact, some of the traditions of these "street performers" are kept alive today at various festivals and shows around the world.

The Commedia Dell'Arte relied on fancy masquerade masks to hide the faces of the performers and relay the "comic mood" to the audience. Today, we use masquerade masks as a party prop, but its roots are distinguished and noted throughout history. For more information on these types of masks, visit PartyOasis.com today!

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