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Martha Graham, Dance Pioneer
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Modern dance arose in the beginning of the twentieth century, affording dancers the opportunity to rebel against the constraints of the classical techniques of ballet.
At this time, pioneers such as New York City-based choreographers Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey and Isadora Duncan explored this emerging art, introducing college students and small communities to their innovative, groundbreaking performances.
Now a century later, modern dance is much more widespread and appreciated.
Defined as anything from free dance to expressionist dance, this remarkable art form is based on techniques by famous dancers such as Jose Limon and Merce Cunningham, and explores the limits of the human body's expression through movement.
Dancing Together
Ann Ludwig, 70, founder of the modern-dance company
A Ludwig Dance Theatre, believes in the vast possibilities of modern dance. "I think there's a billion ways to do things," she says.
The Arizona-based company, which was formed in 1977, originally began in California with three dancers, three musicians and one mime. They have since performed all over the U.S. and in Europe.
Ludwig has been on the dance faculty for many institutions, including the University of Kansas, San Diego State University and the University of Iowa, where she led the dance program.
She finds inspiration from all over, such as from the techniques of Martha Graham and the perseverance of New York City chorographer Merce Cunningham.
For her latest piece, dubbed "The Project," she is collaborating with chorographer Babs Case, artistic director of Dancers' Workshop; Kelly Roth, artistic director of Kelly Roth & Dancers; and composer Robert Kaplan.
Ludwig compares the collaboration process to creating a "hunk of clay with three sculptors." There is no central theme to the piece; rather, "'The Project' involves trying to open our eyes to accepting movement and overall expression," says Ludwig.
Collaboration can be an arduous process. "I won't throw anything out until everything has been worked through. Sometimes I think, 'What in the world am I going to do with this?'" Ludwig says. "We'll have to wait and see. You can't comprise anyone's ideas, which can prove to be quite difficult," she continues.
Ludwig admits touring uses a lot of energy; still, the dancers in her company tend to be older side -- the current youngest dancer is 29.
Her dancers are compensated for their efforts -- $12 an hour for rehearsals, which is significant considering most companies don't pay for rehearsals at all. "They also receive performance pay, which is a minimum of $100 per concert," Ludwig notes.
Modern dancers' careers can last into their sixties. Ludwig herself just performed at the University of California at Long Beach in a master's concert sponsored by
The National Dance Education Organization.
Let the Music Play
If you're looking for a modern dance company with live and original music scores, check out Boston-based
Anna Myer and Dancers.
Her newest piece, "Penumbra," includes a group of strings players on stage with the dancers, of which ten are children. The work will be performed at the
Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston in May.
Danielle Sonnenberg
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