Lester
Horton (1901-1953) was a major artistic influence in the modern dance
movement in America. He not only created over eighty concert pieces
and choreographed more than a dozen films, but more importantly, he developed
a technique of movement that remains as vibrant today as it was more
than 30 years ago when it was being developed. He also established
the first permanent home for modern dance in America in 1946 and out
of that school emerged an amazing number of dancers, choreographers,
teachers, musicians, costume designers and actors.
His technique was unique in its development for many reasons. It was
not fashioned on his body, nor was it made to fit the straitjacket of
any philosophical or physical concepts; it was a technique developed
to serve the art of dance through group participation. Each new
work of Horton’s provided a springboard for a totally new body
of exercises and expressions. There was continuous exploration
and problem solving. New ways were developed to go up, to go down,
to use one leg, to use both legs, and to see how long a balance could
be held in what seemed an impossible position. Simultaneously a
new technique and a new language were being created. Horton continued
searching for a unique style, developing a compelling technique, organically
motivated and richly articulated.
In an interview Horton stated: “I am sincerely trying to
create a dance technique based entirely upon corrective exercises, created
with a knowledge of human anatomy; a technique which will correct physical
faults and prepare a dancer for any type of dancing he may wish to follow,
a technique having all the basic movements which govern the actions of
the body, combined with a knowledge of the origin of movement and a sense
of artistic design”. (from the book American Dancer Pierre,
Dorathi Bock (New York, NY October 1937, pg. 37.
From Alvin Ailey: He (Lester Horton) was a genius at the theatre,
a major choreographer, and he designed a dance technique which is so
unique and so insightful that it is continuing to train dancers and inspire
teachers and choreographers today, thirty years after his death. The
technique I learned from Lester has continued to affect and influence
me and my work. It is an important part of the curriculum at the
Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, and continues to be an inspiration
for my choreography. He was an incredible man.
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