Stage Name |
Birth Name |
| Isadora Duncan |
Angela Dora Duncan |
Known
as the "Mother of Modern
Dance." Isadora's mother was a music teacher. Isadora
was born in San Francisco, California to Irish parents. One of
the creators of Modern dancing which she called "Free
Dance." She took ballet as a child but broke away from
its conventional and classic forms. She had an unsuccessful debut
in the states in 1899 and went on to London were she was much
more appreciated in 1900.
She
was very inspired by Greece and its art and made a big impression
on Michel Fokine (his ballet, Eunice.) Her usual costume
was a flowing Tunic and was the first American dancer to dance
barefooted as well as the first to appear on Stage without tights.
By 1904 she would establish her own school in Berlin and by 1906
had her own dance group (comprised of her pupils.)
Her
dance was more of Pantomime with hardly any steps repeated while
avoiding set movements and steps. She eventually would have a
few different schools in France, Germany and the U.S. and was
received warmly in the U.S. by 1909. She died tragically in a
fatal freak car accident. While driving in a convertible, her
long scarf got caught in the rear wheel and strangled her. Isadora
had a daughter named Deidre with Gordon Craig out of wedlock.
The Duncan Sisters consisted of Isadora,
Irma and Anna who all danced together for a time. There seems
to be a rumor that Gordon Craig sired two children with her (Charles
James Miller Papers).
|