Doris Humphrey
1895 to 1958
Doris HumphreyDoris humphrey was born on the 17th of October 1895 at oak park. Her dad, Horace Buckingham Humphrey, was a journalist and her mum, Julia Ellen Wells, was a pianist. Humphrey was an only child. Humphrey’s mother encouraged her to dance from a young age and enrolled her to have lessons with ballet masters. Mary Wood Hinman, one of Humphery’s teachers, encouraged Humphrey to go to LA for a course owned by ruth st. Denis and ten shawn in 1917. Humphrey went to francis parker school in Chicago and took time off so she could tour the west. Humphrey financially supported her parents through dance teaching, for 4 years after her graduation Doris only first trained professionally in 1917 after her parents were financially secure. Humphrey toured Asia in 1925 to 1926 and she returned with Charles Weidman and studied theory of movement.
Humphrey opened a dance school in oak park when she was 18 years old, in1910. The classes she provided were ballroom, gymnastics, classic and ballroom class for young women, all the class of which were a huge success. In 1928 Humphrey and Weidman formed the Humphrey - Weidman Dance Company. Humphrey was a taught dance at Bennington college and taught American dance at Contienet college. Humphrey’s inspiration to create dance came form her school dance teacher, Mary Woolwindtinman. Her style was self expressive and extensive and she focused on pain, feelings and physical states. Humphrey composed works with Ruth St Denis. Humphrey most significant dances were a water study, 1928, Life of The Bee, 1929, Drama of Motion, 1930, choreographed The Shakers, 1931, choreographed Inquest, choreographed new dance which was a 3 part dance. |