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Dance History

Subjects : performing-arts, dance
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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  • Match each statement with the correct term.
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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. Started in NYC by Robert Joffrey - small company - repertoire was eclectic and contemporary - reconstructed works from Diaghilev's Ballets Russes - Financially weak - often folded - moved to LA then chicago






2. 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






3. Waddling on their heels - legs straight - tap dance transition step - dances are about weight and being grounded - not defying gravity - jumps are about coming down - rather than going up - connection of Africanist dance & American modern dance






4. Modern Dance Choreographer-- mixed media extravaganza's celebrating the electronic age; choreographed Tensile Involvement






5. Born in NY - raised in Boston - first exposure to dance in 1920 - witness Diaghilev funeral - worked with Balanchine - established NYC ballet - passion for Japenese culture






6. French cabaret singer who became a famous designer - costumes - color pink (patented)






7. 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






8. 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.






9. The transformation from an agricultural to an industrial nation; industrialization allowed for stable incomes and allowed for centralized support of art in cities






10. Choreographed by Fokine - star was Pavlova - composer was Camille Saint Saenz - two minutes long






11. 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






12. From its very beginning the ballet was entirely dependent upon this individual; it was his ballet - under the direct supervision and guidance of a court minister appointed by this individual and answerable to him






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






14. 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






15. Beginning of modern dance - danced with bare feet - wore flowing Greek-style robe - died being strangled from a long-flowing scarf caught in a car wheel






16. Dancer - choreographer - teacher - born 1930 in NY - began dancing senior year of HS - scholarship to New Dance group. studied with Primus. Professional debut in 1948 - choreographed 1st pieces with group when 18 - 1951 founded contemporary dance gro






17. Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1920) extended the right to vote to women in federal or state elections.






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






19. Interrupted first flush of success of Coppelia and the included the siege of Paris - which also led to the early death of Giuseppina Bozzacchi - on her 17th birthday - but eventually it became the most-performed ballet at the Opera Garnier.






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






21. In Moscow - very flamboyant & expressive (opposite of Kirov Theater)






22. Different names but same theater under different political influences






23. In charge of new Paris Opera; under his direction - Paris Opera made a profit for the only time in its existence; slashed salaries of ballerinas to force them into mistresshood for fellow Jockey's






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






25. Classical - Character - Demi-Character - Mime






26. A diversion or amusement; a short ballet or other entertainment performed between the acts of a play






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






28. Ballet by Michel Folkine; 1910; based on '1001 nights'






29. Taglioni's rival -Her dancing was 'warm and passionate' -Dance was earthy - temperamental - fiery - vuluptuous -Labeled Pagan -Danced folk dances - most famous was Cachucha - Spanish using castanet - twists and turns; Known for her flair and theatric






30. Known particularly for his long associations as musical director with Denishawn and Martha Graham.






31. One of the major figures in the development of modern dance - an American dancer - choreographer and teacher who created more than 150 works on a wide range of subjects from ancient Greek to modern American; contraction and release






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






33. Sharp powerful movement; angle






34. 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






35. Associated with Danish-style ballet; equal roles for male and female dancers






36. Embraces conflict - polyrhythmic - pelvis off centered - high affect juxtaposition (intenseness of feeling) - ephebism (power - vitality) - cool (intensity) - improvisation






37. St. Denis and Ted Shawn's company that helps spread the gospel of dance from the constraints of ballet - opened a school in Los Angeles - brought dance to the middle class by supporting good health and virginal spirituality






38. A pioneer of modern dance - established importance of the male dancer - created masculine movement style - founded own company in 1947; died of prostate cancer






39. An African American section of New York City. Many A/A writers and artists gathered in Harlem






40. Unsuccessful revival - Ballet Russes lose money






41. (1931-1989) A New York City dancer who created an American Dance Theater which trains dancers and performs worldwide; most famous work was Revelations and piece named Cry - in honor of his mother; lost battle to AIDS in 1989






42. Star male dancer of Ballets Russes; became chief choreographer for one year - 1913 - Afternoon of a Faun - Rite of Spring - and Jeux. Rite caused a riot






43. Works to question the complexities of real life






44. 1st male dancer to make an impression in United States. Danced with Dane Margo Fontain in the Royal Ballet; died of AIDS






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






46. African American social dance in the 1920s; spurred the Jitter Bug






47. Most important figure in Russia in immediately pre-Romantic days. Did much to improve the repertory and teaching. 20 ballets - raised standards. Flying wires - pointe works.






48. Fokine - starred Nijinsky - about a woman who comes home from a ball and puts a rose on a table - falls asleep and dances with the spirit of the rose - the rose jumps out the window; most famous jump in dance history






49. Petipa's assistant that takes over - choreographs Snowflakes Act I of the Nutcracker - dies in 1901 - didn't produce anything more of importance except Swan Lake






50. Broke color barrier - developed stair dance - danced with Shirley Temple - made 'honorary mayor of Harlem' -