The Art of Making Dances by Doris Humphrey Citation

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Apr 06, 2007 frances marked it as to-read

mentioned in a rachel brice intensive. i would like to learn how to make my own choreographies. perhaps this will assist. she did say, yet that doris is pretty old-school in her way of thinking.

Doris Humphrey's "The Art of Making Dances" is probably ane of the first dance theory books on making Western concert dance from a modern/gimmicky perspective. Before her, there have been other dance theory books but they all came from classical trip the light fantastic toe thinking and for classical choreographers. This volume, therefore, is definitely a milestone for gimmicky dance. Notwithstanding, it definitely is not valuable only as a historical text - some of Humphrey's advice, insight, and criticism is however val Doris Humphrey's "The Art of Making Dances" is probably one of the commencement dance theory books on making Western concert dance from a modern/contemporary perspective. Before her, at that place have been other dance theory books simply they all came from classical dance thinking and for classical choreographers. This volume, therefore, is definitely a milestone for contemporary trip the light fantastic toe. However, it definitely is not valuable only as a historical text - some of Humphrey's advice, insight, and criticism is still valid for today's contemporary dance world. The ones that are not upwardly-to-date anymore, serve every bit a reminder of where nosotros were and where nosotros might go in the art of dance. Surprisingly, even though she belongs to an emotional modern dance groundwork, she is very level-headed (apparently, she wrote a theory book) and in some instances even serves as a precursor to post-modernistic trip the light fantastic toe thinking. Personally, she leans on an expressive mod dance side, but to my enjoyment, in the book, she assay the fine art of dance from a much more neutral and full general perspective. In some cases, even when she contemplates ways of making trip the light fantastic that in her mind would not work or would not exist valuable, she was a sort of sage seeing the future of dance and what new and stubborn generations would endeavour out - 10-20 years after the release of the volume, some choreographers embodied exactly those ideas that according to her "would non piece of work" and made them work.
I definitely agree with Humphrey that programs of trip the light fantastic toe and choreography in higher education establishments should teach a more formal dance theory course, which is not glued together with trip the light fantastic history classes. It is definitely a shock, that later on all these years that gimmicky dance has been regarded every bit a rather equal art form to other stage arts, it still does not accept a comprehensive system of, or at to the lowest degree an attempt to systemize theory of choreography. Definitely, the one that Humphrey proposes might not correspond to the needs of the 21st-century new dance makers, but in some ways, it is much more upwards-to-appointment than some other approaches that are being pushed downward nowadays. Mostly because information technology refers to what is happening (or was happening at the time of writing the volume), non what should happen.
This book is definitely a must-read to all dance professionals - be it dancer, choreographer, critic, or especially theoretician. ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view information technology, click here. Completito toda todos los temas de diseño coreografico, pero es mas orientado a ballet o a contemporáneo.

I dutifully read every chapter except the one on sets and props because it doesn't apply to my flavor of trip the light fantastic toe. Although in my heart of hearts I am a ballet dancer, condign 1 at the tender age of 3, and after that I am a tappin' worshipper of Fosse, these days I am actually a tribal fusion bellydancer and teacher. Who knew it would always turn out this style? A horrible pes injury and surgery turned out to be a approval in disguise, similar most challenges we meet in our lives. This volume is an oldy I dutifully read every chapter except the 1 on sets and props because information technology doesn't utilise to my flavor of dance. Although in my eye of hearts I am a ballet dancer, becoming one at the tender historic period of 3, and after that I am a tappin' worshipper of Fosse, these days I am actually a tribal fusion bellydancer and instructor. Who knew it would always plough out this style? A horrible human foot injury and surgery turned out to be a blessing in disguise, like nearly challenges we meet in our lives. This book is an oldy but goody and an original--before Doris Humphrey no one had developed a theory on choreography, or at to the lowest degree put it into publishable book format. Her style of writing is organized, analytic and thoughtful. I already know information technology will serve as inspiration in my hereafter choreography.

A few gem quotes:

"Trip the light fantastic toe class is logical, just it is all in the realm of feeling, sensitivity and imagination..."

"...Nosotros are told that the torso is a wonderful motorcar, and then information technology is, in part. This leads to an absorption with torso mechanics and finally to an obsession with technique which loses sight of the objective: the communication of the human spirit."

"(there) should be a class in the technique of expressing emotional states long earlier students reach the performing or choreographing stage."

...more than

Feb 24, 2013 Flissy rated it actually liked information technology

I had the impression that this book would be stuffy and strict only I enjoyed it immensely. I similar structure and order in my dance, then it fabricated a lot of sense to me. Having picayune formal choreography training, what Humphrey proposes is a clear and sensible arroyo. I'm looking forward to experimenting with what I learned in my own dances. I had the impression that this book would be stuffy and strict but I enjoyed it immensely. I similar structure and order in my trip the light fantastic toe, then it made a lot of sense to me. Having little formal choreography training, what Humphrey proposes is a clear and sensible arroyo. I'm looking forward to experimenting with what I learned in my ain dances. ...more

Nov xxx, 2013 Tamara Elation rated it it was amazing

The dancer's "bible" for choreographers. She tells it smartly even fifty+ years after her expiry! The dancer's "bible" for choreographers. She tells it smartly even fifty+ years after her expiry! ...more

Jul 08, 2011 Kari rated it it was amazing

A must read for any dancer or choreographer!!

May 22, 2009 Rebecca rated it really liked it

" A movement without motivation is unthinkable. Some force is the cause for the change of position. The cessation of motility is expiry." (Pg. 110) " A movement without motivation is unthinkable. Some strength is the crusade for the change of position. The cessation of move is death." (Pg. 110) ...more

Mar x, 2008 T rated information technology liked information technology

favorite line: "i cannot go along with the cult which holds that a face is simply something to deport around on the neck..."

i detest that cult too! doris humphrey is such a weirdo.

favorite line: "i cannot go along with the cult which holds that a face is simply something to carry effectually on the neck..."

i hate that cult as well! doris humphrey is such a weirdo.

...more