This is very true for the all famous modern dancer, Ruth St.
Her life was like a fairy tale; full of magic and adventure. She was very comfortable with her body, mind, and spirit. She was fascinated with the exoticism of the Orient, and the creativity of the Egyptians. This is were she endured most of her inspiration from. She believed life should be lived to its fullest at all times. And this is what made her unique.
Growing up on a farm in Somerville, New Jersey; Ruthie Denis lived a very happy childhood. Not sure of her true birth date, it is known that Ruth St. Denis was born anywhere from 1877-1880. At this time, most people's performances in theatre were influenced by a technique called Delsarte. These were sorts of pantomimes used not only in theatre, but also in everyday life. It was this that first planted the seeds for St.Denis's dancing career. Though Ruth had had very little ballet technique, she knew she did not like it and began her professional career in New York City in 1892. She worked as a skirt dancer in a dime museum and in vaudeville houses. The dime museum featured "leg dancers" (there legs were visible under their short skirts) in brief routines. St. Denis was probably required to perform at least eleven times a week. .
In 1898, David Belasco, a well-known and highly successful Broadway producer and director noticed the young vaudeville dancer. He was responsible for giving her the stage name, "St. Denis." She then toured with his production of "Zaza" around the U.S and Europe. This is were she saw for the first time the mystery of the Orient. After 1900, St. Denis began formulating her own theory of dance/drama based on the dance and drama techniques of her early training, her readings into philosophy, scientology and the history of ancient cultures, and the work of artist like Yacco and Bernhardt. Once she saw a cigarette ad about Egyptian cigarettes, and this is what sparked her imagination to read about Egypt, and then India.
Graham also she a performance of Ruth Saint-Denis that inspired her so much she decided to become a dancer. 3. ... Graham became interested in dance when she saw Ruth St. Denis perform in 1914. ... Graham family moved to Santa Barbara, CA, in 1908, and in 1911 she saw a performance of Ruth Saint-Denis that inspired her so much she decided to become a dancer. ... Graham's life-long advisor, critic and music composer. ...
Isadora Duncan paved the way for all modern dancers and choreographers who will follow her. Denishawn was a dance school created in 1915 by Ruth St. Denis, and Ted Shawn. Denis and Shawn were greatly inspired by different cultures, especially in Asian cultures. ... She would use themes relating to American Life, Greek Mythology, American Pioneers and American Indians. ...
