LESTER HORTON (Jan. 23, 1906 – Nov. 2, 1953) Dancer – Teacher – Choreographer “Genius on the wrong coast”- Clive Barnes TIMELINE American modern dance pioneer born in Indianapolis, Indiana Inspired by a Denishawn performance (1922) Settled in LA in the late 1920’s 1929, danced in the Michio Ito Dance Company (Japanese dancer-actor) o Ito was a mentor to Shawn, Graham, and Pauline Koner Had an affinity for Native American and ethnic dance traditions Formed the L.H. Dance Theater (1934), one of the first integrated dance companies in the country His original and unique style of technique and choreography married dance and drama, which he called “choreodramas” Choreographic themes included: o Human sensuality, socio-cultural history, the classics to melodrama, social concerns to farce 1940’s-50’s choreographed musical numbers in 19 Hollywood films Neck injury forced him to retire from dancing (1944) Opened his own theater (1946/48) (7566 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, CA) o Created all production elements – costumes, sets, etc. Choreographed more than 40 dances; most renowned pieces: o Salome (1934) based on the seductive dancer who requested the head of John the Baptist o Conquest (1938) spoke of the Spanish conquest of Mexico’s indigenous people, the struggle for social and economic justice, and the triumph of the people o Totem Incantation (1948) based on coming of age ceremonies among northern Native American traditions o The Beloved (1948) based on a true story of a minister who bludgeoned his wife to death with his bible because he thought she was unfaithful Company members and students: o Janet Collins – first African America prima ballerina (Met Opera Ballet) o Carmen de Lavallade – who succeeded her cousin, Ms. Collins, at the Met o Bella Lewitzky – his muse; his very capable dancer o James Mitchell – dancer-turned-actor o Rudi Gernreich – dancer-turned-fashion innovator o Joyce Trisler – brilliant dancer/choreographer; artistic director o James Truitte – original member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; my teacher o Alvin Ailey – founder/artistic director; teacher and choreographer Bella Lewitzky assisted him in developing the technique that bears his name today Died suddenly of a heart attack (47 years old) Ailey stepped in briefly as artistic director/choreographer, but the company folded 7 years after his death “If you came to Dance Theater with prejudices and preconceptions you didn’t keep them long. Lester felt that it got in the way of your growth and of course he was right.” RESOURCES: No Fixed Points: Dance in the 20th Century – Reynolds and McCormick Lester Horton: Modern Dance Pioneer – Larry Warren Lester Horton Summit (hortonsummit.org) Lester Horton Technique: The Warm-Up – Kultur (DVD) Lester Horton Technique: Advanced Level – Kultur (DVD) Clarence.Brooks@fau.edu LESTER HORTON (Jan. 23, 1906 – Nov. 2, 1953) Dancer – Teacher – Choreographer “Genius on the wrong coast”- Clive Barnes – Connie Finch, Lester Horton Dance Theater company member RESOURCES: No Fixed Points: Dance in the 20th Century – Reynolds and McCormick Lester Horton: Modern Dance Pioneer – Larry Warren Lester Horton Summit (hortonsummit.org) Lester Horton Technique: The Warm-Up – Kultur (DVD) Lester Horton Technique: Advanced Level – Kultur (DVD) Clarence.Brooks@fau.edu
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