Who is Katherine Dunham: Post 1

The wait is over, I am here on my journey researching who Katherine Dunham is. Welcome to my blog. Every time I was in a dance class, her name, Katherine Dunham would come up in reference as being a great dancer and someone I should know if I’m going to study dance. I have researched her and I know who Katherine Dunham is, why she is important, and her contribution to dance. Keep reading and join me in discovering all about Katherine Dunham.
Not only was Katherine Dunham female, but she was an American Black dancer and choreographer. Sounds like me, I love her already. Wikipedia tells us that, Dunham was born in Chicago June 22, 1909. Her mother was French Canadian and her father was African American. In Katherine Dunham book by Barbara O’Connor, she tells how it did not matter the huge age difference of 20 years between her parents. They married and had two children Albert Jr. and Katherine. Katherine had other siblings on her mother’s side of the family, but she was closest to her brother Albert. Young Dunham enjoyed singing, dancing, working with her parents, and the terpsichorean club at school. Her mother died young, so Dunham hopped from different family houses throughout her childhood. Even through many hardships, Dunham survived and excelled.
Not only is Katherine Dunham a dancer and choreographer, she’s very well educated. She’s an author, anthropologist, and founder of Katherine Dunham Dance Company. She got her education from The University of Chicago. During her studies, she always had to decide between continuing her education or being a performer. I bet you can guess which direction she chose? That’s right, a performer. It was a successful decision too, because Dunham revolutionized American dance in the 1930’s. On KDCAH.org it explains how Dunham was the pioneer of Folk and ethnic choreography. She is credited for her Caribbean and African moves on the stage and showing the beauty of black dance. Her influences come from Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad, and the Caribbean where she stayed and studied dance. Talk about giving back to the roots, here is a perfect example of Dunham going into her family history and bringing out the good. Dunham created the Dunham technique which is still studied by dancers and teachers all over the world. The technique is made up of Caribbean dance, African dance and rituals and rhythms. Kathrine Dunham is known as “Matriarch of Black Dance,” or queen mother.
She raised money for her church by putting on a cabaret show starring her. Who does that? Katherine Dunham. Dunham broke many rules when it came to performing and people loved and supported her work. She choreographed over 90 pieces. During this era, she had lots of problems with racism so she aimed to resolve social justice problems, poverty, and violence. She was an activist and humanist. She partnered most of her stage work with her second husband John Pratt who was a theatrical designer. He designed all of her costumes. I find it most amusing that black Dunham married a white man and they adopted a French daughter.
Kathrine Dunham and her brave creative work changed dance in the 20th century. At that time she had the only supported black dance troupe. Her technique is learned and danced all around. Dunham died in her sleep from natural causes in New York May 21st, 2006. Below are a couple links to her pieces from youtube.com. Stayed tuned for more on my journey in learning about Katherine Dunham.

Video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iSTuO5E9_1g
Video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LASYzcH67F0
Picture: http://www.danceheritage.org/treasures/dunhamdancing.jpg