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Dance History

Subjects : performing-arts, dance
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Radically new or original






2. Allowed people to dim lights; allowed for lighting changes; used for special effects in background of plays and dance such as ghosts






3. Based on Bill T. Jones' seminar workshops; swirling with arms out to side - spinning - stomping feet - flying






4. Performed by fanny elssler in jean corallis le diable - was Spanish and had some obscene gestures - colorful dress worn by elssler






5. A ballet company established in 1909 by the Russian impresario Serge Diaghilev. It created a sensation in Western Europe because of the great vitality of Russian ballet compared to French dance. The Ballets Russes became one of the most influential b






6. The revolution that overthrew Russian Czar Nicholas I in 1917. Later established the Bolshevik government under Vladimir Lenin.






7. Peter the Great wants respect from the west and imports fashion and dance from France






8. Different names but same theater under different political influences






9. A serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles






10. Russian ballet impresario who founded the Russian ballet and later introduced it to the West (1872-1929)






11. Opera created that incorporated a ballet in the 3rd act called ballet of the nuns






12. Writer of Giselle - Dance Critic - Wrote against male dancers - Praised ballerinas for their sensuality and beauty - in love with Carlotta Grisi






13. High energy act of two African american brothers - Fayard and Harold - had a 'flash act' consisting of an acrobatic tap style - were in movies - only African Americans encouraged to mingle with audience (by audeince demand)






14. First book of choreography; published posthumously in 1959






15. Music by Stravinsky - ancient Greek contest debate between forces.






16. (1819-1899) -Italian ballerina -Leading role in Giselle -Combined techniques of Taglioni & Elssler -Known for strength & lightness






17. Predominately black - but whites attended - social dances were done - had to change the floor every three years because of the intense dancing - many whites went to go watch Black People Dance






18. This is a dynamic way to use the space of the dance floor to a fuller extent






19. Student of Mary Wigman. Opened a Wigman school in NYC in 1931 - brought German modern to U.S. but Americanized her technique. Choreographed Broadway musicals- 'Kiss Me Kate' based on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew






20. Famous tennis player who took ballet (lover in Le Train Bleu)






21. Previous member of Denishawn (left late 1920's) - developed a comedic mime aesthetic - shared a school with Humphrey for years - pioneer of modern dance






22. Called the most poetical of ballets of the 20th century. Premiered during first ballet russes season (1909)






23. Hungarian choreographer who developed Labanotation (1879-1958); Established the Choreographic Institute in Zurich - Founded branches across Europe - Kinetographie Laban=labanotation - primary movement - notation stilled used today in dance - Conte






24. Teacher in Merce's studio Who is remembered for creating a competitive environment filled w/ experimentation for new dance styles






25. A Colombian-American modern dance choreographer known for his politically-charged productions depicting the black experience - notable productions include Missa Luba in 1965 - Blues for the Jungle in 1966 (portraying life in Harlem) - Las Desenamorad






26. 1st male dancer to make an impression in United States. Danced with Dane Margo Fontain in the Royal Ballet; died of AIDS






27. Alwin Nikolais - had a lot of ribbons - very involved in the sounds - wearing skin colored clothes - drum music - elastic ropes and strings - all across stage






28. St. Petersburg Ballet School 1738 - Director of Imperial Theater - Official Patronage 1766 & Moscow 1806; - first dancing master that was brought to russia - from france






29. Wrote 'The Art of Making Dances' in 1931 - Fall and Recovery - inspired by Bach and used his work in many piece - choreographed pieces without music - Passacaglia and fugue in C minor (showed fall and recovery)






30. Inspired by Gautier's novel The Story of the Mummy - very complicated - spectacular - successful ballet - Aspica is the daughter - English Lord in sand storm goes into tomb & gets put into an opium dream where he becomes Tahor and saves Aspico from a






31. Founded the Gus Solomons Company/Dance - whose repertoire consisted of detailed and analytical compositions that were conceived as 'melted architecture' - drawing from experience as an architecture student at MIT






32. Considered one of the greatest of African American choreographers - and also bears the titles dancer - educator - and dance company director. After studying under Katherine Dunham and Martha Graham - went on to do solo work and choreograph his own wo






33. Russian dancer and choreographer; considered one of greatest male ballet dancers; became artistic director of American Ballet Theatre






34. Martha Graham explored use of breath to contract & releases the muscles of the pelvis to create a powerful - grounded - percussive - angular dance






35. Famous ballerina who formed her own company and toured 1910 - famous for portraying birds - insects - and plants - brought ballet (aristocratic art) to the common person (high schools - etc.)






36. A jerky American dance that was popular in the 1940s






37. Actress - singer and tap dancer successful in early musicals...... '42nd Street'






38. Ballet with music by Erik Satie and a one-act scenario by Jean Cocteau. The ballet was composed 1916-1917 for Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. The ballet premiered on Friday - May 18th - 1917 at the Thaa






39. Designer. Influenced by Greek and Asian art. Costumes and sets full of bold colors. Decorative motifs that employed perspective painting. Successful with ballet. 'sophisticated eclecticism'. Teacher.






40. Unsuccessful revival - Ballet Russes lose money






41. Arthur Mitchell founder and artistic director -1st black dancer to break color barrier for classical ballet -America's 1st outstanding ballet company of black dancers -started school with Karel Shook -shaped by Balanchine -Dancers known for warmth an






42. Fokine - starred Nijinsky - about a sad puppet who wanted his soul to come to life - belonged to evil sorcerer






43. Reform Russian Ballet - choreographed Dying Swan 1905 for Anna Povlova (2 minutes long) - accused of being influenced by Isadora Duncan - teacher & choreographer rather than a refined dancer






44. Studio behind the stage at the Paris Opera which is now used as a rehearsal stage and a reception venue but which was notorious in the 19th century (during the reign of Dr Varon) as the salon where members of the Jockey Club could meet dancers.






45. Music that combines spoken street dialect with cuts (samples) from older records and bears the influences of social politics - male boasting - and comic lyrics carried forward from blues - R&b - soul and rock and roll






46. Famous for her incredible technique - lightness - and ethereal presence -(1804-1884) -Introduced new costume design (bare neck/shoulders - tutu) -Perfected dancing en pointe -La Sylphide`






47. Massine - parable about freedom - Picasso - aesthetic unity






48. Fokine - commoner wanted to have sex with Cleopatre - she said yes as long as He was put to dead the next day - she did






49. Means 'The Wedding' - arranged Russian Stravinsky wedding






50. French composer; uses harmony to reinforce stasis; Prelude to Afternoon of a Fawn (half man - half goat - simulated masturbation); concert work that became a ballet