9.4 Lester Horton and West Coast Modern Dance

Lester Horton's technique blends diverse cultural influences with anatomical principles. It's a unique approach that fuses Native American, Afro-Caribbean, and Asian dance styles, emphasizing body isolation, opposition, and resistance.

Horton's impact on West Coast dance was huge. He started one of the first racially integrated dance companies in the US, developed a distinctive modern style, and influenced countless dancers and choreographers, shaping American dance for generations.

Lester Horton Technique

Elements of Lester Horton Technique

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• Fuses diverse cultural influences including Native American dance, Afro-Caribbean dance (rumba, samba), Balinese dance, and Japanese theater (kabuki, noh)
• Emphasizes anatomical principles such as isolation of body parts, opposition and resistance, flat backs, lateral stretches, and fortifications (strengthening exercises like flat back)
• Uses a codified technique with specific vocabulary and unique terminology for movements and positions (hinges, coccyx balance, lateral T)
• Focuses on emotional expressiveness and dramatic intensity to convey powerful themes and narratives

Horton's impact on West Coast dance

• Established the Lester Horton Dance Theater in Los Angeles (1932), one of the first racially integrated dance companies in the United States
• Developed a distinctive modern dance style incorporating diverse cultural influences and anatomical principles
• Collaborated with other artists and choreographers like Bella Lewitzky and Alvin Ailey to create innovative works
• Influenced the broader American dance scene as Horton technique became a foundation for many modern dance styles and inspired future generations of dancers and choreographers

Horton's legacy in dance education

• Established a comprehensive dance training system emphasizing the importance of anatomical principles and technical proficiency
• Created a codified technique with a specific vocabulary providing a structured approach to modern dance training
• Trained numerous influential dancers and choreographers including:
  1. Alvin Ailey, who later founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  2. Bella Lewitzky, who established her own dance company and technique
• Horton's legacy continues through the teaching of his technique in dance institutions worldwide, shaping generations of dancers

Horton Dance Theater and diversity

• Established one of the first racially integrated dance companies in the United States (1932), providing opportunities for dancers of diverse backgrounds
• Created works that addressed social and political issues like "The Beloved" (1948) exploring themes of racial inequality and social injustice
• Promoted cultural diversity through the incorporation of various dance styles and influences, encouraging the fusion of different cultural elements in modern dance
• Challenged societal norms and stereotypes through innovative choreography and diverse casting, pushing boundaries in the dance world