ABSTRACT

This book considers dancer, teacher, and choreographer Mary Wigman, a leading innovator in Expressionist dance whose radical explorations of movement and dance theory are credited with expanding the scope of dance as a theatrical art. Now reissued, this book combines:

  • a full account of Wigman’s life and work
  • an analysis of her key ideas
  • detailed discussion of her aesthetic theories, including the use of space as an "invisible partner" and the transcendent nature of performance
  • a commentary on her key works, including Hexentanz and The Seven Dances of Life
  • an extensive collection of practical exercises designed to provide an understanding of Wigman’s choreographic principles and her uniquely immersive approach to dance.

As a first step towards critical understanding, and as an initial exploration before going on to further, primary research, Routledge Performance Practitioners are unbeatable value for today’s student.

chapter 1|63 pages

Mary Wigman: A Life in Dance

chapter 2|36 pages

Mary Wigman’s Writings on the Dance

A philosophy embodied

chapter 3|33 pages

Mary Wigman as Choreographer

Choosing the focus

chapter 4|35 pages

Practical Exercises