Prime Movers: The Makers of Modern Dance in America

by Joseph H. Mazo

The lives and works of the choreographer-dancers who created American modern dance come vividly to life in this graceful and witty book. It illuminates such greats as Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn, Doris Humphrey, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, and Twyla Tharp. Together, they made up the group of geniuses who created a new theatrical dance form that was serious, unique, and, most important, not classical ballet. By concentrating on those artists who fashioned a particular style of modern dance or epitomized a high point in dance development, this book creates a lively history of American dance itself.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1983

Reviews

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mazo has a clear appreciation for modern dance and its makers and attempts to give a brief (albeit opinionated) history of significant modern dance choreographers. He acknowledges that some dancers and choreographers are noticeably absent from Prime Movers because their work does not contribute to the main line of development explored in the book. In all, it is well-written, concise, descriptive, interesting, and stayed true to Mazo's interest in a specific line of modern dance development. Mazo nicely compares and contrasts choreographers in each section while outlining why their specific contributions merit study. While proclaiming that he considers many of the choreographers to be of "genius" choreographic status, he thoroughly explores why those whom he does not (such as Alvin Ailey) made significant contributions to the field in other ways.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Isadora Duncan.