Vision of Modern Dance

This is the story of the development of modern dance as told by the artists who created it. The words of Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Ruth St. Denis, and over thirty other modern dance artists come to life in these essays. This revised edition includes new selections by Paul Taylor, Alvin Ailey, Twyla Tharp, and Mark Morris. Rebels against society and classical ballet, the early pioneers sought and achieved freedom from unnatural, restrictive, and inexpressive performing.

Each succeeding generation added its own distinctive approaches, voices, and styles to the alternating pattern of revolution and institutionalization, in the never-ending spiral of change. The Vision of Modern Dance sheds light on the viability and vitality of modern dance from its beginnings in the late nineteenth century until today.