Doris Humphrey's Technique

 

 Doris Batcheller Humphrey (October 17, 1895 – December 29, 1958) was an American  dancer and  choreographer of the early twentieth century. Humphrey was one of the second generation  modern dance pioneers who followed their forerunners in exploring the use of breath and developing techniques still taught today. As many of her works were annotated Humphrey continues to be taught, studied and performed. 

 Charles Weidman was a renowned choreographer, modern dancer and teacher. He is well known as one of the pioneers of modern dance in America. He wanted to break free from the traditional movements of dance forms popular at the time to create a uniquely American style of movement.

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Summary of Humphrey's and Weidman's Ideas

Develop a form of dance indigenous of America

 

Develop a form of dance different from ballet

 

Develop dances that resemble the world around them 

 

Develop dances that do not defy gravity

 

Question 1

 

Based on the above ideas, what would you say was the main  purpose of Humphrey's and Weidman's Dance?

 

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Humphrey's Dance Theory

Humphrey's choreography began with experiments in dance theory and as an attempt to reduce dance to pure movement. Water Study (1928) and Two Ecstatic Themes incorporated her theory of fall and recovery and used only nonmusical rhythms (waves and natural human breath and pulse rhythms).

 

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Two Ecstatic Themes

Traditions

(min. 4:00 - 12:40)

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Concepts

1. The Humphrey/Weidman Technique is build around the body's response to gravity

 

2. To maintain balance one must resist gravity

 

3. To give into gravity is to fall

 

4. As one falls and recovers, movement shapes change 

 

5. The speed of the fall and the slowness of the recovery produce rhythmic constrast

 

6. In resisting the fall there is suspension

 

7. And in springing back from the fall, there is rebound

 

8. By varying the directions of the fall, the rise and the suspension, the degree of yielding and the dynamics of the recovery, endless choreographic possibilities emerge.

 

9. The body moves in three plains: floor, norm or air

Question 2

Which one if the concepts above do you like best? Why?

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Question 3

 

Define the following words:

Fall

recovery

Shapes

Rhythmic contact

Suspension

 

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Activity

Students translate the above ideas into actual movement.

 

They create an 8 moves phrase using Humphrey's and Weidman's concepts. (Males use Weidman's piece Traditions as reference,; female students use Humphrey's piece Two Ecstatic Themes)

Remote students, record and post your phrase on Discussion Board.

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Sources:

https://charlesweidman.wordpress.com/education/