Bibliography
Doris Humphrey was born in 1895 in Oak Park, Illinois, although she grew up in Chicago. She died in 1958 at the age of 63. Humphrey's father ran a hotel out of his residence for Vaudeville performers called the Palace Hotel. Whereas Humphreys' mother taught piano lessons.
As a young girl Doris studied Ballroom Dance, Ballet, Piano, Americanised Delsarte, and Dalcroze's System of Eurythmics. This led to her becoming a very talented individual, and at the age of 15 she began to teach children; Ballet and Interpretive Dance.
Throughout the next few years Humphrey's travelled with a variety troupe along the Santa Fe railroad line, where they gave performances (from her own numbers, which included; aesthetic dances, and Spanish pieces) to the railroad employees. Once the trip had finished she returned home back to Oak Park where she opened her own studio with her mother (as being her business manager).
As a young girl Doris studied Ballroom Dance, Ballet, Piano, Americanised Delsarte, and Dalcroze's System of Eurythmics. This led to her becoming a very talented individual, and at the age of 15 she began to teach children; Ballet and Interpretive Dance.
Throughout the next few years Humphrey's travelled with a variety troupe along the Santa Fe railroad line, where they gave performances (from her own numbers, which included; aesthetic dances, and Spanish pieces) to the railroad employees. Once the trip had finished she returned home back to Oak Park where she opened her own studio with her mother (as being her business manager).
Stylistic Features
Some of Doris Humphrey's stylistic features include things such as; collapsing (used in "Fall and Recovery"). Although her dances vary in pace and rhythm, some of the common features used are; flowing, contracting, being very repetitive, similar to a domino effect, and sometimes can be technical.
Historical Context
Around the time when Humphrey's separated from the Denishawn company along with Weidman (in 1928), was during the Great Depression. Even during the Great Depression their joined company (the Humphrey-Weidman) was very successful, which could have been due to the developing new styles and work based on the current events. This differed to the way everyone else choreographed their dances, which were based on old tales and events.
During this era there was also many dance styles, this included; the Jitterbug, Carolina's Shag, West Coast Swing, Mambo, as well as one of the well known; Burlesque and many more.
Innovations
Humphrey's major discovery and most well known technique which still remains an important tradition today in the family tree of modern dance is; "Fall and Recovery". She was also responsible for pioneering the first use of an ensemble for a concert as opposed to a soloist. Humphrey's was also the first modern dancer to analyse the choreographic process, and separating the dancer from the dance.
Another major innovation of Humphrey's includes the first solid and fully articulated choreography method for modern dance-makers, this is shown in her book from 1958 called "The Art of Making Dances", which was the first of its kind.
Another major innovation of Humphrey's includes the first solid and fully articulated choreography method for modern dance-makers, this is shown in her book from 1958 called "The Art of Making Dances", which was the first of its kind.
Influences & Training
InfluencesOne of Humphrey's influences was definitely music. This came from her early training as a musician, which definitely would have changed the way she viewed dancing. From the very beginning Humphrey's choreography was all about the relationship between the music and the movement. This emphasised qualities like things such as; dynamics, the structure, and design. It has even been said that the way Humphrey's uses the music, that she is perhaps the most "modern" of the early Modern Dance Pioneers.
Another one of Humphrey's influences includes; Ruth St. Denis. Denis was definitely a major mentor in starting off, and helping Humphrey's dancing, even though Humphrey's ended up moving away from Denis' religious messages in dance. |
TrainingDoris was originally taught in a small town, although dissatisfied with the teaching, she moved to California and joined Denishawn (in 1917). At Denishawn she was definitely the teachers pet. This resulted in Miss Ruth letting her teach classes, as well as performing feature roles with the company.
In 1928, Humphrey along with Charles Weidman left the Denishawn company to establish their own school/company. Very much like Martha Graham, she was focused on moving away from the dynamics of the Denishawn company. This was because they wanted to move towards a new dance "vocabulary"/style that was truly "modern". Humphrey's herself especially wanted to move away from the religion that her mentor Ruth was driven by, where as she wanted to focus on the affirmation of faith and humanity. |