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Minstrelsy
Minstrel shows are performances by white people who paint their bodies black to entertain audiences, blackface. They weren’t intended to be racist, or to make fun, at first. Whites enjoyed the black peoples dancing and culture and would imitate in performances with blackface. However, people started using black face as a racist performance, to make fun of Black people. People did not see this as wrong back then, people enjoyed the performances. Hollywood was not the one to create black face. -
Jack Cole
Jack Cole is considered the father of theatrical jazz. He was trained in modern dance, and developed theatrical jazz. He studied under Ruth St Denis and Ted Shawn. His jazz technique was unique back then. His style was like a “cat”. He used pliet, isolation, rapid direct change, and stored energy. His style was also considered ballet jazz, detached classy.He taught Marilyn Monroe in 1953, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Jack Cole had a huge impact on culture-used in musicals, commercials, etc. -
Gus Giodarno
Gus grew up in a family oriented life. He was a natural dancer, strong passion for dance. He had modern dance trainers. He performed in several shows, including “On the Town.” He developed his own technique that was challenging and use of entire body strength. Jazz hands, isolation, freeze frame. Influenced jazz entirely, made it his. Travelled the world and introduced jazz to others.Was in Jazz world conference. Made a beautiful tribute dance to his beloved wife after she passed. He was amazing -
Luigi
Father of Jazz Teaching. He danced, sung, acrobatics. He danced in vaudeville. 1946, he got into a car accident that paralyzed left side. He did lots of physical therapy and realized he always has to move so he won’t get stiff. He danced in many movies, such as Singing in the Rain. People copied his stretching. 1951, he first codified jazz technique. Steps compared to Jack Cole, classical jazz. Pressing down while pulling up, opposition, always moving. Creator of counting (5,6,7,8) -
Bob Fosse
Bob Fosse was a dancer and choreographer. He danced in vaudeville, performed with the riff brothers, and in nightclubs. He did sexy dancing and striptease. he started to bald young and ugly hands, he always wore hats and gloves in his dances. He had hunched shoulders and pigeon toes. His choreography included bent elbows, turned in feet, quirky and grotesque movements, synchronization, and perfection.Girls wore high leg cut leotards. He got a lot of awards &a triple crown in 1973. “Damn Yankees” -
Mia Michaels
Mia Michaels is a dancer, choreographer, and body activist. She is the founder and choreographer of RAW, New York based dance company. She influences change of self image of dance, and that people don’t need to have a specific body type to be a dancer. She uses her platform to empower women and other things she is passionate about. She is also a judge on “So you think you can dance?” television show. She has won many awards and Emmys. She was a choreographer for the Sponge-bob animated movie.
