evolving: a history

[edited excerpt]

 

"In the long line" by Nona Schurman

 

There was a Humphrey-Weidman Concert Dance Company. There were two directors: Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman. Doris composed her dances; Charles composed his. They never collaborated on a work. They performed in each other's pieces, rehearsed in them, and made suggestions, but the works were always presented with their separate names on the program. The students and company members studied with both Humphrey and Weidman, so they became Humphrey-Weidman dancers.  There never was a Humphrey-Weidman technique as such. However, when I taught under my own banner, I mixed them together and added my own inventions. Is this Humphrey-Weidman technique, or Humphrey-Weidman-Schurman? And what of José Limon: Humphrey-Weidman-Limon? Or others — Humphrey-Weidman-Whoever? With additions to the “gene” pool this technique stays alive, evolves and stays relevant in new environments.

 

Geneseo, NY

November 2008