January 20
Born Today:
Ruth St. Denis
It is said that dancer Ruth St. Denis (1879-1968) was inspired to pursue a career in dance by a poster for "Egyptian Deities" cigarettes. Along with her husband and fellow dancer Ted Shawn (1891-1972), she created a teaching dynasty and toured all over the world performing dances inspired by exotic locales and peoples. To today’s sensibilities, much of their work will seem like cultural appropriation, but Papa Ted and Miss Ruth can be credited for fostering the forthcoming generation of modern dancers, including Martha Graham (1894-1991) and Doris Humphrey (1895-1958).
Also Born Today: Actor and movement practitioner Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869–1955) developed the Alexander technique to overcome the loss of his voice through poor postural placement - this technique helps actors and dancers alike to avoid injury. Nakamura Utaemon VI (1917-2001) was the sixth generation in a family of kabuki performers and was considered to be the best onnagata (interpreter of female roles) of his generation.