On Stage Alone: Soloists and the Modern Dance Canon - Paperback

by Claudia Gitelman (Editor), Barbara Palfy (Editor)

Rediscover some of the most courageous dancers of the twentieth century "Providing a broad examination of the solo that spans the twentieth century, the expertly curated essays in this volume bring to light specific soloists' work while also reflecting larger trends in concert dance and interrogating issues of aesthetics, performativity, gender, race, and nation. It is a welcome addition to the field."--Hannah Kosstrin, Reed College "Diverse in both the dance artists considered and research approaches utilized, this thoughtful and engaging collection of essays enriches the growing body of dance scholarship by introducing us to the works of an array of daring and creative solo dance artists."--Linda Caruso Haviland, Bryn Mawr College Soloists ignited the modern dance movement and have been a source of its constant renewal. Pioneering dancers such as Loïe Fuller, Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, and Maud Allan embodied the abstraction and individuality of the larger modernist movement while making astounding contributions to their art. Nevertheless, solo dancers have received far less attention in the literature than have performers and choreographers associated with large companies. In On Stage Alone, editors Claudia Gitelman and Barbara Palfy take an international approach to the solo dance performance. The essays in this standout volume broaden the dance canon by bringing to light modern dance soloists from Europe, Asia, and the Americas who have shaped significant, sustained careers by performing full programs of their own choreography. Featuring in-depth examinations of the work of artists such as Michio Ito, Daniel Nagrin, Ann Carlson, and many others, On Stage Alone reveals the many contributions made by daring solo dancers from the dawn of the twentieth century through today. In doing so, it explores many important statements these soloists made regarding topics such as freedom, personal space, individuality, and gender in the modern era. Claudia Gitelman is associate professor emerita at Rutgers University. Her most recent book is The Returns of Alwin Nikolais: Bodies, Boundaries and the Dance Canon, coedited with Randy Martin. Barbara Palfy was founding editor of Studies in Dance History and is an associate editor of other important dance journals.

Back Jacket

Diverse in both the dance artists considered and research approaches utilized, this thoughtful and engaging collection of essays enriches the growing body of dance scholarship by introducing us to the works of an array of daring and creative solo dance artists.--Linda Caruso Haviland, Bryn Mawr College "Providing a broad examination of the solo that spans the twentieth century, the expertly curated essays in this volume bring to light specific soloists' work while also reflecting larger trends in concert dance and interrogating issues of aesthetics, performativity, gender, race, and nation. It is a welcome addition to the field."--Hannah Kosstrin, Reed College Soloists ignited the modern dance movement and have been a source of its constant renewal. Because the lone dancer-choreographer has more flexibility than dance companies burdened with corporate ties, modern dance soloists are often able to tackle such broad social issues as freedom, personal space, individuality, and gender.Pioneering solo dancers including Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, and Maud Allan embodied the abstraction and individuality of the larger modernist movement while making astounding contributions to their art. Nevertheless, solo dancers have received far less attention in the literature than have performers and choreographers associated with large companies.In "On Stage Alone," editors Claudia Gitelman and Barbara Palfy take an international approach to the solo dance performance. The essays in this standout volume broaden the dance canon by bringing to light modern dance soloists from Europe, Asia, and the Americas who have shaped significant, sustained careers performing full programs of their own choreography.Featuring in-depth examinations of the work of artists such as Michio Ito, Daniel Nagrin, Ann Carlson, and many others, "On Stage Alone" reveals the many contributions made by daring solo dancers from the dawn of the twentieth century to today. Claudia Gitelman is associate professor emerita at Rutgers University. Her most recent book is "The Returns of Alwin Nikolais: Bodies, Boundaries and the Dance Canon," coedited with Randy Martin. Barbara Palfy was founding editor of "Studies in Dance History" and is an associate editor of other important dance journals.

Author Biography

Claudia Gitelman (1936-2012) was associate professor emerita of dance at Rutgers University. Gitelman danced internationally, on Broadway, and as an original member of Nikolais Dance Theatre. Barbara Palfy was founding editor of Studies in Dance History and is an associate editor of other important dance journals.