Ruth St. Denis
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Ruth St. Denis was an American pioneer of modern dance, introducing eastern ideas into the art and paving the way for other women in dance. She was inspired by the Delsarte advocate Genevieve Stebbins
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Photographed by Otto Sarony, c. 1900. St. Denis began to investigate Oriental dance after seeing an image of the Egyptian goddess Isis in a cigarette advertisement.
St Denis and Company in Ishtar of the Seven Gates. Photo by White Studio, 1920s. The dancers are Doris Humphrey, Louise Brooks, Jeordie Graham, Pauline Lawrence, Anne Douglas, Lenore Scheffer, Lenore Hardy, and Lenore Sadowska.
Ted Shawn and St. Denis in Egyptian Ballet. They married, created and performed many productions together, and co-founded the Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts.
Ted Shawn
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Ted Shawn was an American dancer and choreographer. Considered a pioneer of American modern dance, he created the Denishawn School together with his wife Ruth St. Denis. After their separation he crea
Ruth St. Denis
…contemporary audiences. St. Denis believed dance to be a spiritual expression, and her choreography reflected this idea. In 1911, a young dancer named Ted Shawn was impressed by seeing St. Denis perform in Denver. In 1914, Shawn applied to be her student, and soon became her artistic partner and husband. Together…
Shawn in c. 1918
Ted Shawn with dancer and wife Ruth St. Denis in 1916.
Ted Shawn resting on the Jacob's Pillow Rock