-
10,000 BCE
Paleolithic Period
Although we don’t quite know when this era started, we can assume it started around 2 million years ago. The Paleolithic period is the earliest period of human development and is the longest era of mankind thus far. Just like how we are unsure of when the Paleolithic period began , we are also unsure as to when it exactly ended! Going off of the knowledge we have, it is guess that this period came to an end in a variety of places 10,000-40,000 years ago! -
9500 BCE
Neolithic Period/ Era
Beginning in 9500 BC, the Neolithic Era began in the a Middle East and was considered as the ending of the Stone Age. During this time, Technology was developed in farming a rose. The high rise in farming resulting in something we know as the “ Neolithic Revolution.” The Neolithic Revolution then started the wide spread of metal tools. -
753 BCE
Ancient Rome
We’re not sure exactly when Rome was founded but we can assume it was around 753 BC. During the rise of Rome, the "Golden Age" started to flourish. During this time theater became more involved. Although most performances were choreographed, some were improvised and the dancers mostly included slaves. With a handful of early dances being associated with religious rites, priests or religious leaders performed them. Dances during this time included the Roman Circus and the Pyrrhic dance. -
476 BCE
Medieval Period
During this time, the Roman empire fell in the rise of the Renaissance begin. Eastern societies were able to experience what is known as the Islamic golden age. Many major advances took place during this era in a new form of dance was arising. Belly dancing a rose and was characterized by swaying and rocking of the hips and other full body/arm movements. Then came the Dark in the Middle ages in which the role of the Catholic Church changed the importance of art. This later changed. -
1400
Renaissance Period
The renaissance period was truly a cultural movement in which we think money flow was a big part of. Although beginning in Florence it became widespread in the rest of Europe later on. Famous artist during this time included Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. The folk dance was a very popular dance during this time but ballet also began. You could expect to see court dances such as the Sarabande during this time. -
1500
African Dance
The term African dance refers mainly to the sub-Saharan Africa. These dances were used for multiple things, social patterns and values were the main two. -
Period: 1519 to
Catherine de Medici
Catherine was born in Italy but moved to France! She had a major role in influencing dance in France. Once her husband had passed away, Catherine became a very powerful woman. While her oldest son gained power she did too! -
1581
Comique de la Rain
First ballet recorded. Comique de la Rain was supported by Catherine and choreographed by Balthazar Beaujoyeulx. This performance lasted almost 6 hours and has an interesting storyline. -
Baroque Period
Baroque, was a flourishing time for musical styles. These artistic styles started in about 1600 in Rome and later spread throughout Europe. This era of new artistic styles introduced opera. -
Minstrelsy
American entertainment form consisting of comedic skits, variety ask, dancing and music. this was truly the first American theatrical form -
Period: to
Pierre Beauchamp
Taught King Louis XIV and created the 5 fundamental foot position for ballet. -
Period: to
King Louis XIV
King Louis XIV, was very involved in dance during this time. He would hold jaw-dropping gatherings where he would perform and make himself the star of the show. He later than created the first ever ballet school, Academie Royale de Dance (Paris Opera Ballet). -
First Professional Theater
-
African Diaspora
A term that refers to the movement of black Africans and their descendants throughout the world. -
Period: to
Marie de Camargo
Marie was A French ballerina who was the first to perfect the Entrechat Deux. She then went on to change the costumes Are ballerinas. She cut the skirts a little bit shorter so she had freedom of movement and traded in ballerina heels for ballerina slippers! -
Musical Theater + Broadway
In 1750 Walter Murray and Thomas Kean Created a massive theater that can hold an abundance of people. It has then evolved into something that is seen as one of the main attractions in New York City. You can expect to see performances of dancing, singing and acting on this stage -
Period: to
Filipino Taglioni
Filipino can be considered as the “father of romantic ballet”. His contribution to romantic ballet was major and some of his dances are still known today. -
Period: to
Marie Taglioni
Daughter of Filippo Taglioni. Marie was know for her graceful movement and performances. -
Period: to
August Bournonville
Choreographer mostly for the Royal Danish Ballet. Most popular for his reimagining of La Sylphide and creation of the Bournonville method. -
Period: to
Thomas D Rice
White comedian who popularized black facing. He then went on to introduce the song “jump Jim crow“, this song was accompanied by a Dance -
Period: to
Marius Petipa
Can be considered as the King of Classical Ballet. He left his everlasting mark by his choreography forms for The Royal Ballet. Some dances including The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. -
Period: to
William Henry Lane “Master Jaba”
Was born a freeman and is considered by many to be the creator of modern tap. Growing up he was exposed to black and slave dances as well as Irish and British dances. This allowed him to become an accomplished dancer! He was the first black performer to receive top billing in a Minstrel show over a white man. -
Period: to
Romantic Ballet
Although the Romantic Ballet era was short lived, some ballets are still preformed today! Giselle and La Sylphide were popular ballets during this time. -
Tap Dance
The earliest influence in taps development came from slaves. they would create rhythms using their hands and feet to beat and stop. Another influence were the Levee Dancers, Who would be out dances by brushing and shuffling their feet. Tap Didn’t become popular until about 1830 when white performers took the fame -
The Big Three
Famous choreographer, Marius Petipa, created what we know as The Big Three. these three performances included Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker -
The Christy’s Minstrels
An all black performance troupe that was established in 1843. They followed the three act form and popularized “the line“. -
Blackface Makeup
White performers darkened their skin with cork and polish. Blackface dates back to minstrel shows, where performers made their features to look african american. -
Period: to
Loie Fuller
American dancer, known for the serpentine dance! Fuller played a major role in modern dance due to the fact she experimented with her movements and production. When it came to stage lighting as well as costuming, fuller was extremely innovative. She then went on to create gel plastic sheets to add different lighting effects to her costumes on stage. -
The Black Crook
Was given the credit as the first modern musical. Music and dancers were disburse throughout the play and songs and dances were preformed by actors. 30 year tour -
Period: to
Serge Diaghilev
Founder of Ballet Russes -
Period: to
Classical Ballet
Classical ballet was a blend of the freedom in Italian style ballet and the technicality in French style ballet. These ballets were performed with extravagant sets and thought out costume ideas. The performers were considered to be extremely advanced for the time and all ballets ended with a finale. -
Period: to
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
Bill was a tapper Who made about 3500 a week as a solo performer. He broke the two act rule of Vaudeville when he was established as a solo act. He is known for his films with Shirley Temple although they were controversial due to the fact they held hands. He also invented the stair dance! -
Period: to
Ruth St. Denis
Dennis was an American born dancer who had two major impacts in in the dance world. In 1940, she founded Natya, A school that taught oriental dances. She then went on to open the first professional dance company with Ted Shawn. Denishawn. -
Period: to
Rudolf von Laban
Who is the creator of many things, those being labanotation, Laban Art of movement Guild and Laban movement analysis. Believe that all movement should be accessible and open dance Farms in Switzerland. -
Period: to
Vaudeville
A term that can be defined as a genre of variety entertainment, prevalent in the US and Canada. Inspired by multiple sources, one being saloons -
Period: to
Anna Pavlova
Russian prima ballerina. Influenced modern and contemporary dances. -
Period: to
Mary Wigman
Wakeman was a German dancer/choreographer. And she essentially pioneered Expressionist dance, dance therapy and dance without polite shoes. -
Period: to
Isadora Duncan
Some consider her the “mother” of modern dance. She was all about free movement, freethinking an innovation. She was constantly breaking the rules and rebelled against ballet in 1903 where she gave a manifesto speech. She was heavily influenced by Greece, and you can see that in her movement, cost mean and opinions on women and a place in society. -
Period: to
Asadata Dafora
Used African drumming and music with African movements and normalized seeing a man of color on stage! Proved that African-Americans can be successful on stage, learned 17 African dialects and created Shogolo Oloba. -
Serpentine Dance
Dance created by Loie Fuller and filmed by the Lumiere brothers. No sound was played during the performance, and lighting affects change the color that was displayed on the fabric on her costume. -
Period: to
Ted Shawn
Cofounded Denishawn with Ruth st. Denis. He stood for strong athletic male dancers and created Jacob’s Pillow dance festival in 1942. -
Period: to
Hanya Holm
Student of Mary Wegmans and made her students put thoughts in their minds and make that happened. She also taught notion, music as well as history of dance at her school. Choreographed multiple Broadway shows including numbers such as kiss me Kate. -
Period: to
Martha Graham
Created the Graham technique, which consisted of contraction, release and spiraling. She consider dance to be a graph of a heart. Was considered one of the most influential modern dance choreographer's but her dancers didn't necessarily make the audience feel good. -
Period: to
Doris Humphrey
Held a part of creating the Humphrey/Weidman technique which consisted of catch and release. This technique is still talk today. She then went on to create the Humphrey Weidman dance company with charles Weidman and then went on to start dance at Juilliard in 1952. -
Period: to
Oscar Hammerstein ll
Worked with Richard Rogers and changed the game completely. Wrote lyrics. Created Show Boat (1927) with Jerome Kern before working with Rodgers. Than began “Golden Age” of musical theatre through creation of Broadway musicals from the 1940s-1950s. The duo revolutionized musicals by creating musicals where songs were necessary to tell story; stories were emotionally deep & psychologically complex -
Period: to
Fred Astaire
Worked with his sister to create Funny Face in 1927. Later worked with Ginger Rogers for 6 years! Wanted a dolly camera to film dance routines and wanted as few shots as possible. Wanted the music and dancers to be a vocal point in the plot. -
Period: to
Kurt Jooss
He was a German ballet dancer/choreographer. What he did was extremely unique. He makes classical ballet with theater! He is most known for his work in the green table and the fact he established several dance companies. -
Period: to
Charles Weidman
Charles emphasize the movements that occurred before an after falling. This included suspension and succession which can be seen in the Humphrey Weidman technique. His work was more innovative and had a wide range of storylines. -
Period: to
John William “ Bubbles” Sublett
John was considered the father rhythm tap, this is what hoofing is. John was credited with adding the use of his heel to create rhythmic sounds which allowed him to create more complex rhythms. Bubbles had the honor of teaching Fred Astaire -
Period: to
Richard Rogers
Composer and created Jumbo (1935) & On Your Toes (1936) with Lorenz Hart before working Oscar Hammerstein. The duo revolutionized musicals by creating musicals where songs were necessary to tell story; stories were emotionally deep & psychologically complex. -
Period: to
Ford Lee “Buck” Washington
Ford was the pianist for the Buck and Bubbles act. In his lifetime he had a chance to record with musicians at the time such as Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith! Bark and bubbles were the first black group to perform at radio city music Hall and they were the highest paid performers in their genre. -
Period: to
George Balanchine
“Father” of Neoclassical Ballet. George mainly focus on the movement music. He wanted his ballerinas to be stronger and more flexible. -
Period: to
Agnes de Mille
turned to dance since told she was not pretty enough to be an actress. Choreography was key element in solidifying the modern equation for a musical and focused on the emotional dimensions of the characters in her choreo. Mille trained with Dame Marie Rambert at The Ballet Club & with Antony Tudor's London Ballet -
Period: to
Lincoln Kirsten
Kirsten was an American writing as well as a cultural figure in New York City. Although he was never a dancer, he played a major role in our dance history. Under heavy influence of ballet ruses, Lincoln Opened an American School of Ballet in 1934, with Balanchine. He was wanting an American style ballet with American style training. -
Period: to
Antony Tudor
He was an English choreographer, dancer and teacher. Antony saw the thoughtfulness of ballet as well psychological. He thought that ballet was a fuse of movements instead of a sequence of separate dances pieced together. He combined dramatic gestures as well as tension to show human condition in the form of dance. He’s better known for his famous works , such as The Leave are Fading -
Period: to
Ballet Russes
A Russian ballet company founded in Paris! Although they never performed in Russia, they toured through Europe and eventually both North and South America. -
Period: to
Katherine Dunham
Catherine was the head of black dance. She is known for numbers such as barrelhouse blues and stormy weather. In 1945 she started a Negro dance group and developed studies of the ants throughout her lifetime. She helped her dancers incorporate their heritage. -
Period: to
Alwin Nikolais
Fell in love with dance after seeing Mary Wegman perform in Germany! He then became an American choreographer and incorporated organic music and interesting scene/costume designs. Not only that but he composed his own music! In 1948 he became Director of Henry St., Playhouse where he developed a different theater style. This included lights slides and stage props. -
Period: to
Ginger Rogers
worked with Fred Astaire for 6 years and became famous working with Astaire during the 1930s in RKO's musical films; made 9 musical films with Astaire. -
Period: to
Gene Kelly
Most influential in musical theatre. Gene felt more boys & men should be dancing and dressed in blue collar men clothes. Wanted dancers & camera to dance together, contributions were with the lighting & camera effects to create full movement and camera integration. Kelly was one of first to play with split screens, double images, live action with animation. -
Period: to
Fayard Nicholas
Fayard and his brother Harold were known as the Nicholas brothers. Fayard was a tapper! The men were invited by George Balanchine to perform “babes in arms“ in 1937. Top famous performers such as Janet and Michael Jackson were known for the technique known as Flashdance. -
Jazz
this music genre originates from African-American communities in New Orleans. A lot of freestyle is involved, and it is a mix of the blues and ragtime -
Period: to
Pearl Primus
Known especially for her production of strange fruit. Her technique consisted of African American and Caribbean movement blended in with modern dance and ballet. Her work was mostly focused on African-American stories, ideas as well as concerns. In 1990 she became chair of the dance program of the five college dance consortium. -
Period: to
Merce Cunningham
Known for his use of “chancellor“. His movement style was often referred to as modern on top and ballet on the bottom and he believed dance should come from the human situation not a story. He then went on to collaborate with John Cage, where music and dance were independent. In the 1970s he created a program called dance forms. -
Charleston
Social dance! Moving of the hips and arms -
Neoclassical Ballet
Began in the 1920’s! George Balanchine is considered the father of this. He mainly focused on the movement and music. -
Period: to
Harold Nicholas
Famous tapper who worked alongside his brother Fayard! The famous duo performed at the cotton club in 1932 and taught at Harvard university as well as the Radcliffe college -
Period: to
Gerald Arpino
He was the cofounder of Joffrey ballet, which Robert Joffrey later then ran. Creating nearly 50 Ballets, Trinity and Light Rain are some of his most popular! -
Snowboat
The earliest musical with modern recipe -
Period: to
Robert Joffrey
An American dancer, teacher, producer as well as a choreographer. He’s known for his creation of the mix between modern and Ballets! He’s the cofounder of Joffrey ballet and was one of the first to study both modern and ballet! -
Period: to
Paul Taylor
It’s considered choreographic chameleon! Paul Taylor was an American dancer/choreographer. He founded the Paul Taylor dance company in New York City in 1954. -
Period: to
Alvin Ailey
In 1958 he founded Ailey American dance theater in New York City! This company is still thriving and his work is still very relevant. He felt positive moving experience was important! Technique mix of Hortons Technique -
The Cotton Club
Nicholas Brothers became performer at this club in Harlem -
Period: to
Arthur Mitchell
In 1968 he founded dance theater of Harlem to show that people of color were perfectly capable of excelling in classical ballet! He truly opened a door for other African-Americans to find love and ballet. This gave individuals of color completing open access to dance. -
Porgy & Bees
About African-American life in a fictitious neighborhood called Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina in early 20s. Wasn't widely accepted in the U.S. at first but was later considered a legitimate work in 1976 -
Yvonne Ranier
Believed that no movement was more important than the other, which expressed a minimalist style. Through her time she had many questions, how is dance created? Who can dance? The basis of entertainment and dance. -
Period: to
Trisha Brown
An amazing woman to say the least. She created the Trisha Brown dance company, Judson dance theater as well as the Grand Union! wanna dance to be more accessible to the audience, and mixed nature and every day movements together. -
Steve Paxton
Steve helped create Jets and dance theater as well as the green union. He’s most popularly known for contact improvisation! He wanted to minimize the difference between the audience and the performer, and he also believe that untrained dancers could contribute to dance. Was very interested in how objects can impact movement and how the body can manipulate itself around set objects. -
Period: to
Pima Bausch
Studied under Kurt Jooss, retrieved from ballet routines and turn to freedom to choose your own expression! Her work was a mix of dance and theater. She always made sure to include extravagant sets props and often used text/dialogue in her performances. -
Period: to
"Golden Age"
-
Twyla Tharp
Developed a movement in which mixed pedestrian and highly articulated ballet. Most known for her performance of push comes to shove. -
Rodeo
Anges de Mille's most famous ballet. -
Oklahoma
Musical that created in the Golden Age and was considered the first musical of the period! Finished what Showboat started by integrating all the aspects of musical theatre. Music was created by Rogers and Hammerstein and was choreographed by Agnes de Mille -
Mats Eks
Still alive! Mats is both a ballet choreographer as well as dancer. Not only that but he is also a stage Director! He is mainly known for his work, apartment. -
Period: to
Gregory Hines
Gregory was born in New York City and was brought up as a tapper. He’s known for his role in jellies last jam, he starred in the film tap. His role in the film tap helped the juveniles and renew everyone’s interest in tap! -
Jiri Kylian
Still alive! Jiri Kylian was a Czech dancer and choreographer. He built a name for himself as he became artistic Director of Netherlands dance theater in 1976. This was a major steppingstone for him. He then went on to choreograph Ballets such as Sleepless (2004) and Falling Angels (1989). -
Liz Lerman
People consider her the pioneer of community dance! She believed that dance should be accessible to anyone and everyone and expanded all the term “community dance”. She created with known as the Liz Lerman toolbox and continues to keep her focus on the accessibility of arts to all. -
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Still alive! Mikhail was an American actor as well as ballet dancer who honestly blue every other mail classical dancer out of the water. He brought multiple training styles of multiple genres of dance to television! This was a huge step, as dance was being shown to a larger audience! -
William Forsythe
Some people know him as the most influential practitioner of the art. He developed a more extreme version of classical ballet and believed that music and dance were independent from each other. He took both choreography and visual arts, and created a masterpiece. He is known for his work with Forsythe Company. -
Ohad Naharin
Still alive! Israeli choreographer and dancer. He encouraged dancers to improvise so they can move beyond their limits. While directing at the Batsheva Dance Company, Ohad developed gaga. This is a movement language that he defined the company‘s training. This is not the actual technique used. -
Bill T. Jones
Open the company with Arnie Zane 1982. His work explores the issue in the world, specifically issues that relate to humanity. Often explored these issues through racism, gender roles and sexuality. Often incorporated video text and his pieces. -
Edouardo Lock
Still alive! Canadian dancer/choreographer, He created work for companies such as the Paris opera ballet as well as the royal ballet of Flanders. Not only that, but he is the founder of a Canadian dance group, better known as La La La human steps. -
Dj Kool Herc (Clive Campbell)
He’s known to be the father of hip-hop! He originated hip-hop music in Bronx, New York City in the 1970s. Clive isolated the instrumental portion of hard funk records and emphasized the drum beat. This formed the basis of hip-hop music -
Mark Morris
started the Mark Morris dance group as well as White Oak dance project! Created works for multiple places, which include Paris opera ballet as well as the American ballet theater. Mixed every day movement with folk dance and other things. Treated men and women as equals and didn’t discriminate towards body shapes and sizes. Regularly mixed seriousness with humor. -
Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker
Started studying dance in 1978. She continued this training about her life and a 1983 started the Rosas company. she strive to intensify the relation between dance and music, build a name for herself and launch a dance school which she accomplished! -
Wayne McGregor
Still alive! An award winning British choreographer/Director. He created more than 15 works for the royal ballet. In 1993, McGregor founded studio Wayne McGregor. He went on to create more than 30 pieces for his own company! His success doesn’t stop there, he has worked on television shows and even directed an opera and choreographed theatre. -
Waacking
Form of street dance created in the LGBTQ+ clubs. It is done by rotational our movement, posing and major expressiveness -
Hip-Hop
Developed in Bronx in the 1970s. This “genre” was made up of African-American, Caribbean and Latino American cultures! It was a way for communities to have a voice and find their place in the world. It’s simply was a way for people to express themselves, connect with others and make a statement -
Savion Glover
Glover started top dances at the age of seven and was the youngest receive a full scholarship to newark community school of the arts. You can see him in the tap dance kid, Sesame Street and jellys last jam! Glover approach is holistic, honest and true and he wants to bring back the essence of tap. He teaches and influences dancers how to “hit“. -
Christopher Wheeldon
Christopher is an English choreographer of contemporary ballet. He joined the royal ballet in 1991 and then accomplished a major mile stone. Within his first year with the royal ballet, Christopher won a gold medal at the Prix de Lausanne. Christopher is better known for his choreography of Alice’s adventures in Wonderland! -
Esplanade
Performance created by Paul Taylor -
Voguing
Voguing they mix the poses a fashion models, typically those of color or involved in a drag scene. It’s a celebration of identity, community and self expression -
Shadows Dance
Created by Alwin Nikolais -
DV8 Physical Theater
Was initially formed as a company where frustrated dancers would go. They performed both by fork and danced for the camera. Their hope was to break the barriers between dance, theater and personal politics. Seek to community ideas and use both movement and text to explore these ideas. -
Tap
A drama dance film that brought interest back into tap! -
National Tap Day
President George Bush Sr. create a national tap day -
Jelly’s Last Jam
A Broadway piece that included Gregory Hines and Savion Glover -
The Gregory Hines Show
Gregorys television series -
Pond Way
Although Cunningham created over 500 pieces in his lifetime, Pond Way was one of them. In this performance he explored the effects with water, as the performance was based on his past experiences skipping rocks.