It was a venue for Dunham to teach young black dancers about their African heritage. Dunham married Jordis McCoo, a black postal worker, in 1931, but he did not share her interests and they gradually drifted apart, finally divorcing in 1938. Dancer. A Short Danceography: Katherine Dunham - YouTube Katherine Dunham: The Artist as Activist | Center for the Humanities [13] University of Chicago's anthropology department was fairly new and the students were still encouraged to learn aspects of sociology, distinguishing it from other anthropology departments in the US that focused almost exclusively on non-Western peoples. Her alumni included many future celebrities, such as Eartha Kitt. In 1950, while visiting Brazil, Dunham and her group were refused rooms at a first-class hotel in So Paulo, the Hotel Esplanada, frequented by many American businessmen. Radcliffe-Brown, Fred Eggan, and many others that she met in and around the University of Chicago. He continued as her artistic collaborator until his death in 1986. 1. She expressed a hope that time and the "war for tolerance and democracy" (this was during World War II) would bring a change. Then she traveled to Martinique and to Trinidad and Tobago for short stays, primarily to do an investigation of Shango, the African god who was still considered an important presence in West Indian religious culture. Dun ham had one of the most successful dance careers in African-American and European theater of the 20th century, and directed her own dance company for many years. The Dunham Technique Ballet African Dancing Her favorite color was platinum Caribbean Dancing Her favorite food was Filet of Sole How she started out Ballet African Dance Caribbean Dance The Dunham Technique wasn't so much as a technique so "The Case for Letting Anthropology Burn: Sociocultural Anthropology in 2019." After the 1968 riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Dunham encouraged gang members in the ghetto to come to the center to use drumming and dance to vent their frustrations. The PATC teaching staff was made up of former members of Dunham's touring company, as well as local residents. The State Department regularly subsidized other less well-known groups, but it consistently refused to support her company (even when it was entertaining U.S. Army troops), although at the same time it did not hesitate to take credit for them as "unofficial artistic and cultural representatives". The highly respected Dance magazine did a feature cover story on Dunham in August 2000 entitled "One-Woman Revolution". In 1949, Dunham returned from international touring with her company for a brief stay in the United States, where she suffered a temporary nervous breakdown after the premature death of her beloved brother Albert. Birth Year: 1956. In the summer of 1941, after the national tour of Cabin in the Sky ended, they went to Mexico, where inter-racial marriages were less controversial than in the United States, and engaged in a commitment ceremony on 20 July, which thereafter they gave as the date of their wedding. While in Haiti, she hasn't only studied Vodun rituals, but also participated and became a mambo, female high priest in the Vodun religion. However, it has now became a common practice within the discipline. There, her father ran a dry-cleaning business.[8]. (She later wrote Journey to Accompong, a book describing her experiences there.) For several years, Dunham's personal assistant and press promoter was Maya Deren, who later also became interested in Vodun and wrote The Divine Horseman: The Voodoo Gods of Haiti (1953). She . Her father was given a number of important positions at court . Never completing her required coursework for her graduate degree, she departed for Broadway and Hollywood. The following year, she moved to East St. Louis, where she opened the Performing Arts Training Center to help the underserved community. Katherine Dunham in a photograph from around 1945. Many of Dunham students who attended free public classes in East St. Louis Illinois speak highly about the influence of her open technique classes and artistic presence in the city. In 1963, Dunham became the first African-American to choreograph for the Metropolitan Opera. Katherine Dunham Biography, Life, Interesting Facts. Zombies, The Third Person, Intelligent Dancers, and Katherine Dunham The program she created runs to this day at the Katherine Dunham Centers for Arts and Humanities, revolutionizing lives with dance and culture. In 2004 she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from, In 2005, she was awarded "Outstanding Leadership in Dance Research" by the. Katherine Dunham was born on the 22nd of June, 1909 in Chicago before she was taken by her parents to their hometown at Glen Ellyn in Illinois. Katherine Dunham on dance anthropology. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Katherine-Dunham, The Kennedy Center - Biography of Katherine Dunham, Katherine Dunham - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). As one of her biographers, Joyce Aschenbrenner, wrote: "Today, it is safe to say, there is no American black dancer who has not been influenced by the Dunham Technique, unless he or she works entirely within a classical genre",[2] and the Dunham Technique is still taught to anyone who studies modern dance. Throughout her distinguished career, Dunham earned numerous honorary doctorates, awards and honors. Dunham created many all-black dance groups. While a student at the University of Chicago, Dunham also performed as a dancer, ran a dance school, and earned an early bachelor's degree in anthropology. [12] This was the beginning of more than 20 years during which Dunham performed with her company almost exclusively outside the United States. Name: Mae C. Jemison. 3 (1992): 24. Stormy Weather is a 1943 American musical film produced and released by 20th Century Fox, adapted by Frederick J. Jackson, Ted Koehler and H.S. Early in 1947 Dunham choreographed the musical play Windy City, which premiered at the Great Northern Theater in Chicago. 8 Katherine Dunham facts - Katherine dunham ", "Kaiso! Kraut, Anthea. Katherine Dunham: legendary dancer who founded the 1st American black Over the years Katherine Dunham has received scores of special awards, including more than a dozen honorary doctorates from various American universities. Her work inspired many. Pratt, who was white, shared Dunham's interests in African-Caribbean cultures and was happy to put his talents in her service. Childhood & Early Life. She died a month before her 97th birthday.[53]. Video. Katherine Dunham Timeline | Articles and Essays | Selections from the She also choreographed and starred in dance sequences in such films as Carnival of Rhythm (1942), Stormy Weather (1943), and Casbah (1947). Katherine Dunham predated, pioneered, and demonstrated new ways of doing and envisioning Anthropology six decades ahead of the discipline. [4] In 1938, using materials collected ethnographic fieldwork, Dunham submitted a thesis, The Dances of Haiti: A Study of Their Material Aspect, Organization, Form, and Function,. Katherine Dunham Biography, Life, Interesting Facts Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) By Halifu Osumare Katherine Dunham was a world famous dancer, choreographer, author, anthropologist, social activist, and humanitarian. VV A. Clark and Sara E. Johnson, editors, Joliet Central High School Yearbook, 1928. The critics acknowledged the historical research she did on dance in ancient Egypt, but they were not appreciative of her choreography as staged for this production.[25]. She also appeared in the Broadway musicals "Bal . The impresario Sol Hurok, manager of Dunham's troupe for a time, once had Ms. Dunham's legs insured for $250,000. 10 Facts About Catherine Parr | History Hit Charm Dance from "L'Ag'Ya". In response, the Afonso Arinos law was passed in 1951 that made racial discrimination in public places a felony in Brazil.[42][43][44][45][46][47]. Her choreography and performances made use of a concept within Dance Anthropology called "research-to-performance". [7] The family moved to a predominantly white neighborhood in Joliet, Illinois. Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. She describes this during an interview in 2002: "My problemmy strong drive at that time was to remain in this academic position that anthropology gave me, and at the same time continue with this strong drive for motionrhythmic motion". Dunham had been invited to stage a new number for the popular, long-running musical revue Pins and Needles 1940, produced by the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union. Q. Katherine Mary Dun ham was an African-American dancer, choreographer, author, educator, anthropologist, and social activist. A highlight of Dunham's later career was the invitation from New York's Metropolitan Opera to stage dances for a new production of Aida, starring soprano Leontyne Price. Divine Technique: Katherine Dunham Archive - Selkirk Auctioneers Lyndon B. Johnson was in the audience for opening night. She also developed the Dunham Technique, a method of movement to support her dance works. "[48] During her protest, Dick Gregory led a non-stop vigil at her home, where many disparate personalities came to show their respect, such Debbie Allen, Jonathan Demme, and Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam. London: Zed Books, 1999. forming a powerful personal. Her father, Albert Millard Dunham, was a descendant of slaves from West Africa and Madagascar. She returned to graduate school and submitted a master's thesis to the anthropology faculty. In September 1943, under the management of the impresario Sol Hurok, her troupe opened in Tropical Review at the Martin Beck Theater. In 1987 she received the Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award, and was also inducted into the. Childhood & Early Life. The Katherine Dunham Company became an incubator for many well known performers, including Archie Savage, Talley Beatty, Janet Collins, Lenwood Morris, Vanoye Aikens, Lucille Ellis, Pearl Reynolds, Camille Yarbrough, Lavinia Williams, and Tommy Gomez. Through her ballet teachers, she was also exposed to Spanish, East Indian, Javanese, and Balinese dance forms.[23]. Called the Matriarch of Black Dance, her groundbreaking repertoire combined innovative interpretations of Caribbean dances, traditional ballet, African rituals and African American rhythms to create the Dunham Technique, which she performed with her dance troupe in venues around the world. Dunham, who died at the age of 96 [in 2006], was an anthropologist and political activist, especially on behalf of the rights of black people. Glory Van Scott and Jean-Lon Destin were among other former Dunham dancers who remained her lifelong friends. Banks, Ojeya Cruz. Harrison, Faye V. "Decolonizing Anthropology Moving Further Toward and Anthropology for Liberation." At the age of 82, Dunham went on a hunger strike in . In 19341936, Dunham performed as a guest artist with the ballet company of the Chicago Opera. Dunham Technique was created by Katherine Dunham, a legend in the worlds of dance and anthropology. He started doing stand-up comedy in the late 1980s. Her mother passed away when Katherine was only 3 years old. This was followed by television spectaculars filmed in London, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Sydney, and Mexico City. Book. "Katherine Dunham: Decolonizing Anthropology Through African American Dance Pedagogy." Video footage of Dunham technique classes show a strong emphasis on anatomical alignment, breath, and fluidity. 10 Facts about Alvin Ailey - Fact File Cruz Banks, Ojeya. [10], After completing her studies at Joliet Junior College in 1928, Dunham moved to Chicago to join her brother Albert at the University of Chicago. Intrigued by this theory, Dunham began to study African roots of dance and, in 1935, she traveled to the Caribbean for field research. She majored in anthropology at the University of Chicago, and after learning that much of Black . She wanted to know not only how people danced but why they dance. About Modern Dance - Jacqueline Burgess Jacqueline Burgess In Hollywood, Dunham refused to sign a lucrative studio contract when the producer said she would have to replace some of her darker-skinned company members. Long, Richard A, and Joe Nash. Dancer Born in Illinois #12. 35 Katherine Dunham Quotes | Kidadl Video. At an early age, Dunham became interested in dance. In 1963, she became the first African American to choreograph for the Met since Hemsley Winfield set the dances for The Emperor Jones in 1933. Katherine Dunham PhB'36. Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) is revered as one of the great pillars of American dance history. A continuation based on her experiences in Haiti, Island Possessed, was published in 1969. Last Name Dunham #5. American dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist. He had been a promising philosophy professor at Howard University and a protg of Alfred North Whitehead. In this post, she choreographed the Chicago production of Run Li'l Chil'lun, performed at the Goodman Theater. In 1978, an anthology of writings by and about her, also entitled Kaiso! A fictional work based on her African experiences, Kasamance: A Fantasy, was published in 1974. [36] Her classes are described as a safe haven for many and some of her students even attribute their success in life to the structure and artistry of her technical institution. katherine dunham fun facts Her father was of black ancestry, a descendant of slaves from West Africa and Madagascar, while her mother belonged to mixed French-Canadian and Native . Katherine Dunham's Mark on Jazz Dance | Jazz Dance: A History of the Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Tropics (choreographed 1937) and Le Jazz Hot (1938) were among the earliest of many works based on her research. Even in retirement Dunham continued to choreograph: one of her major works was directing the premiere full, posthumous production Scott Joplin's opera Treemonisha in 1972, a joint production of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Morehouse College chorus in Atlanta, conducted by Robert Shaw. Katherine Dunham. Born in Glen Ellyn, IL #6. As a graduate student in anthropology in the mid-1930s, she conducted dance research in the Caribbean. However, fully aware of her passion for both dance performance, as well as anthropological research, she felt she had to choose between the two. In 1964, Dunham settled in East St. Louis, and took up the post of artist-in-residence at Southern Illinois University in nearby Edwardsville. Writings by and about Katherine Dunham" , Katherine Dunham, 2005. Subsequently, Dunham undertook various choreographic commissions at several venues in the United States and in Europe. 7 Katherine Dunham facts. Dunham technique is a codified dance training technique developed by Katherine Dunham in the mid 20th century. The next year, after the US entered World War II, Dunham appeared in the Paramount musical film Star Spangled Rhythm (1942) in a specialty number, "Sharp as a Tack," with Eddie "Rochester" Anderson. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Katherine Dunham was an American dancer and choreographer, credited to have brought the influence of Africa and the Caribbean into American dance . These exercises prepare the dancers for African social and spiritual dances[31] that are practiced later in the class including the Mahi,[32] Yonvalou,[33] and Congo Paillette. From the solar system to the world economy to educational games, Fact Monster has the info kids are seeking. She did not complete the other requirements for that degree, however, as she realized that her professional calling was performance and choreography. The schools she created helped train such notables as Alvin Ailey and Jerome Robbins in the "Dunham technique." Death . New York: Rizzoli, 1989. Facts about Alvin Ailey talk about the famous African-American activist and choreographer. Dunham's last appearance on Broadway was in 1962 in Bamboche!, which included a few former Dunham dancers in the cast and a contingent of dancers and drummers from the Royal Troupe of Morocco. Photo provided by Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Morris Library Special Collections Research Center. Back in the United States she formed an all-black dance troupe, which in 1940 performed her Tropics and Le Jazz . [17] She was one of the first African-American women to attend this college and to earn these degrees. Despite 13 knee surgeries, Ms. Dunham danced professionally for more than . Gender: Female. At this time Dunham first became associated with designer John Pratt, whom she later married. Digital Library. Fighting for Katherine Dunham's Dream in East St. Louis The Katherine Dunham Fund buys and adapts for use as a museum an English Regency-style townhouse on Pennsylvania Avenue at Tenth Street in East Saint Louis. She was the recipient of a Kennedy Center Honors Award, the Plaque d'Honneur Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce Award, and a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.