Ruth St. Denis
American modern dance pioneer who introduced Eastern mysticism.
via Wikipedia: Frank B. A. Linton · see source
Ruth St.
- died
- July 21, 1968, Los Angeles, California
- field
- Modern dance
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Pioneering modern dance, introducing Eastern themes, co-founding Denishawn School
Lore & Background
She was raised on a small farm in New Jersey and studied Christian Science. As a child, she learned exercises based on François Delsarte's Society Gymnastics and Voice Culture, which became the foundation of her dance training. In 1909, she performed a Salome dance at Broadway's Hudson Theatre during the 'Salomania' craze. Notable students included Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman. St. Denis and Shawn toured throughout the 1910s and 1920s, often performing on vaudeville stages.
Reader's Guide
Ruth St. Denis's significance lies in her role as a pioneer of modern dance, blending Eastern spiritual themes with Western theatrical forms. Her work, though not culturally accurate, expressed the mysticism she perceived in Oriental culture and captivated contemporary audiences. She believed dance to be a spiritual expression, a theme she explored throughout her career. Her legacy continues through her signature solos, which are still performed, and her induction into the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame in 1987. The global organization Dances of Universal Peace, started by her student Samuel L. Lewis, published many of her writings on spiritual dance and the mysticism of the body.
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