- American choreographer,
one of the most influential modern dance figures in the United States.
She is noted for her theories of motion and for her dramatic group choreography.
Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Humphrey studied ballet as well as ballroom,
folk, and interpretive dance. In 1917 she went to Los Angeles to study
with American choreographers Ruth St. Denis and
Ted Shawn.
Becoming a prominent member of their Denishawn Company, she was a featured
soloist in their Hindu, Japanese, and Siamese ballets. In 1928 Humphrey
and dancer Charles Weidman formed the Humphrey-Weidman troupe,
experimenting with new dance principles. After retiring as a performer
in 1945, she became artistic director of the José Limón
Company.
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