Charles Weidman
Charles Weidman was born in the year of 1901 in the town of Lincoln, Nebraska. His father was Chief of the fire department and his mother was a champion roller skater. Throughout his lifetime, Weidman accomplished many goals especially in the area of dance and became very successful in the industry. He is renowned today as one of the most influential pioneers of modern dance in America, pursuing a career as a choreographer, modern dancer, teacher, a dance company director, and a creator of dance for Opera and Broadway.
In 1920 Weidman received a scholarship to spend an entire summer with Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn, studying at their dance company; The Denishawn School in Los Angeles and before the summer ended he was hired as a dancer for their company. In 1928, Weidman left the company Denishawn and moved on to become the founder of the Humphrey-Weidman company with Doris Humphrey and Pauline Lawrence.
In the early 1940's, Charles Weidman moved on and decided to create a dance company of his own; 'The Charles Weidman Theatre Dance Company. His company toured the world until it's demise in 1951. Weidman then co-founded the 'Expression of Two Arts Theatre' in New York in 1960 with sculptor Mikhail Santaro. Weidman continued on with this partnership, choreographing and teaching until 1970.
In the year of 1975, at the age of 70, Charles Weidman passed away. He created a new range of movement, that he himself didn't know the possibilities of. Weidman's work has inspired many dancers, choreographers and teachers all around the world. He has helped create a whole new genre of modern dance that is still continuing to evolve today.
In 1920 Weidman received a scholarship to spend an entire summer with Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn, studying at their dance company; The Denishawn School in Los Angeles and before the summer ended he was hired as a dancer for their company. In 1928, Weidman left the company Denishawn and moved on to become the founder of the Humphrey-Weidman company with Doris Humphrey and Pauline Lawrence.
In the early 1940's, Charles Weidman moved on and decided to create a dance company of his own; 'The Charles Weidman Theatre Dance Company. His company toured the world until it's demise in 1951. Weidman then co-founded the 'Expression of Two Arts Theatre' in New York in 1960 with sculptor Mikhail Santaro. Weidman continued on with this partnership, choreographing and teaching until 1970.
In the year of 1975, at the age of 70, Charles Weidman passed away. He created a new range of movement, that he himself didn't know the possibilities of. Weidman's work has inspired many dancers, choreographers and teachers all around the world. He has helped create a whole new genre of modern dance that is still continuing to evolve today.