Agnes de Mille

Definition

Agnes de Mille was an influential American dancer and choreographer known for her significant contributions to musical theater and ballet during the mid-20th century. She is particularly celebrated for integrating dance into the narrative of musical theater, which helped to elevate the role of choreography as a vital storytelling tool. Her work not only defined the choreography of productions like 'Oklahoma!' but also laid the groundwork for future generations of choreographers in both theater and dance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Agnes de Mille was born on September 18, 1905, in New York City, coming from a family with strong artistic ties, including her famous playwright uncle, George de Mille.
2. She is best known for her choreography in the groundbreaking musical 'Oklahoma!', which premiered in 1943 and is often credited with changing the way dance was used in musical theater.
3. De Mille's approach to choreography involved using dance to express character emotions and advance the story rather than merely serving as entertainment.
4. In addition to 'Oklahoma!', she choreographed other notable works such as 'Carousel' and 'Brigadoon', each showcasing her unique ability to blend narrative with movement.
5. De Mille also contributed to ballet, creating works for companies like the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, showcasing her versatility across different forms of dance and theater.

Review Questions

• How did Agnes de Mille's choreography transform the role of dance in musical theater?
  • Agnes de Mille transformed the role of dance in musical theater by integrating it as a vital part of storytelling rather than just an entertaining spectacle. Her choreography in shows like 'Oklahoma!' utilized movement to express characters' emotions and progress the plot. This innovative approach allowed audiences to experience deeper connections with the narrative through dance, setting a new standard for future musicals.
• Discuss the impact of Agnes de Mille's work on subsequent choreographers in musical theater.
  • Agnes de Mille's work had a profound impact on subsequent choreographers in musical theater by establishing choreography as an essential component of storytelling. Her methods influenced notable figures like Jerome Robbins and Bob Fosse, who further developed her ideas on integrating movement with narrative. This legacy has shaped the evolution of musical theater choreography, encouraging future artists to explore character development through dance.
• Evaluate Agnes de Mille's contributions to both musical theater and ballet, considering how she bridged these two forms.
  • Agnes de Mille made significant contributions to both musical theater and ballet by bridging the gap between these two forms through her innovative choreography. In musical theater, she emphasized narrative integration, using dance as a storytelling device that conveyed character emotions and themes. In ballet, her works showcased her ability to blend classical techniques with theatrical elements, allowing her to appeal to broader audiences. This versatility not only expanded her own artistic reach but also inspired future generations of choreographers to explore cross-genre creativity.

Related terms

Choreography: The art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. It plays a crucial role in musical theater by enhancing the storytelling through dance.

Musical Theater: A form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance to tell a story. Agnes de Mille's work significantly shaped its evolution.

Integration: The seamless blending of various performance elements, such as song, dance, and dialogue, into a cohesive narrative. De Mille's choreography exemplified this concept by enhancing plot development through movement.