The influences of German and American perspectives on the formation process(1920-1960) of the dance theatre

This thesis covers the transformations in classical dance between 1920 and 1960 which would lay a foundation to the development of dance theatre, and together with modern dance, the journey towards it. To better understand the emergence of modern insights in dance; courtroom ballet has been inspected, which has tremendously influenced the free dance theatre form of 1960's, together with how the new dance came into the light, and the elements that have contributed to it's development. The creative enviroments in Germany and America, which make up the essential lines in our graphic, have been comparatively evaluated, and the findings from this main area of study have been analysed. Due to societal dynamics and the effects they had on the art of dance between the two great wars, it is imperative that this social fabric should be inspected. Hence, the socio-political transformations of the two countries during the working periods of the dancers have been traced and analysed. The psychological devastation that came from the industrialisation that emerged between these two continents, have been observed to be pushing the artists towards seeking new platforms for creative output. The alternative ideas of the pioneers of the new dance have been included, who have pointed out to a new way of thinking and manner of movement in contrast with the idea of dance as recration or in the case of classical dance, disposition towards corporal virtuosity. In this context, the influence which would lay the foundations for dance theatre, that the pioneers such as Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, Laban and Wigman have had on the acceptance of the new dance as an art form have been compared correspondingly with their countries of residence. The performances of their times they have been a part of and the dance forms they have created have been examined. In conclusion, it has been observed that both the socio-political atmosphere in Germany and America, and the works of the pioneers of the new dance have contributed greatly to the emergence of the dance theatre.