Historical Events of Duncan and Humphrey

Born in 1877 Isadora Duncan was alive during many historical world events, most notably, World War I and the rise of the Soviet Union.  Despite Europe being her place of residence, Isadora was inspired by the freedom that America represented, which was especially evident during WW I.  In 1921 She was greatly influenced by the social and political revolution, which lead to the Soviet Union.  This led her to open a school in Moscow to “give her art in exchange for a free school”.  She was a revolutionist, and was of the belief that “all true artists are revolutionists”.  

Doris Humphrey was merely twenty-two years of age when Isadora passed away.  Doris took to teaching at the young age of eighteen because of the economy associated with World War I. In 1920 the 19^th Amendment was ratified, and women gained the right to vote. She lived through the Great Depression, and in 1938 choreographed Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor in response to it.  In 1931 Doris codified her theory of “Fall and Recovery” influenced by German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche, who was greatly interested in questioning doctrines.  In 1944 she choreographed Inquest, which is a social protest in response to WW II and the last work that she performed in. In 1958 she finished her book, "The Art of Making Dances," and passed away on December 29th. 

1887 - Isadora Duncan is born May 21th in San Fransisco
1897 - Doris Humphrey is born October 17th in Oak Park Chicago
1913 - Tragic death of Isadora Duncan's two children and nanny who drowned
1915 – Doris Humphrey opened a studio at age 18 for financial support

1917 – Doris Humphrey moved to LA to join Denishawn
1917 - April 6 the US enters WWI

1918 – End to WWI

1919 – Doris Humphrey Choreographs Valse Caprice
1921 - Isadora Duncan influenced by social and political revolution, eventually leading to the Soviet Union and establishes a school in Moscow
1922 - Isadora Duncan's last tour in U.S. 
1922 - Isadora Duncan marries Sergey Aleksandrovich Yesenin

1925 – Doris Humphrey choreographs to Edward McDowell’s Sonata Tragica; first dance performed without music
1925 - Isadora Duncan's husband commits sucide
1927 - Isadora Duncan passes away September 14th

1928 – Doris Humphrey leaves Denishawn with Charles Weidman and Paline Lawrence

1929 – Beginning of the Great Depression

1931 – Doris Humphrey codifies theory of “Fall and Recovery” influenced by German philosopher Frederick Nietzsche, choreographs The Shakers influenced by Shaker religion

1932 – Doris Humphrey marries Charles Francis Woodford

1933 – Doris Humphrey's birth of her son Charles Humphrey-Woodford

1934 – Doris Humphrey's first summer at Bennington College

1935 – Humphrey-Weidman is the first national tour by a modern dance company

1936 – Doris Humphrey choreographs New Dance considered her masterpiece

1939 – The Depression ends in the late 30s. Germany invades Poland

1941 – Attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States enters WWII

1944 – Dissolution of Humphrey-Weidman company, Doris retires from performing, choreographs Inquest which is a social protest and the last work that she performed

1945 – Sept. 2 official end to WWII

1946 – Doris Humphrey became the artistic director for Jose Limon Company

1951 – Doris Humphrey choreographs Night Spell  and helped start the department of dance at the Julliard School, joins the faculty

1952 – Doris Humphrey Founds Julliard Dance Theatre

1954 – Doris Humphrey wins the Capezio Award for outstanding contributions to modern dance

1958 – Finishes her book The Art of Making Dances, passes away Dec. 29 

1987 - Isadora Duncan is inducted into Dance Hall of Fame

Works Cited:

"About Isadora Duncan." About Isadora Duncan. Isadora Dance Foundation, 2012. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. <http://www.isadoraduncan.org/the-foundation/about-isadora-duncan>.

"Biography." The Doris Humphrey Society Biography Comments. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. <http://www.dorishumphrey.org/the-early-years/>