May 21
Born Today:
Rosalia Chladek
Modern dancer Rosalia Chladek (1905-1995) was instrumental in the training of dancers in and around Vienna and other parts of Austria. Chladek studied the theories of Émile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865-1950), the developer of Eurythmics, in Germany from 1921-1924 and performed with the Hellerau Dance Group, later teaching for the Hellerau School, where she had trained. She also held the post of Artistic Director from 1930-1939. During this period, she created many solo works and choreographed for plays, operettas, films and TV programs. From 1942-1952 she directed the dance training at the Vienna Conservatory and from 1952-1970 she headed the theatrical dance area for the Vienna Institute for Music and the Dramatic Arts, and she added modern dance pedagogy into the program in the 1970s. She founded a performing company in 1972 and created the Chladek Technique, utilized primarily for pedagogy and therapeutic purposes.
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Dance Premiere: The Prodigal Son in 1929
Broadway Premiere: Gypsy in 1959