Ruth Page: The Woman Behind the Work

Ruth Page: The Woman in the Work

by Joellen A. Meglin

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	47627 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	584 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Ruth Page was a pioneering American dancer, choreographer, and artistic director. She was a major force in the development of modern dance in the United States, and her work continues to be performed and celebrated around the world.

Early Life and Career

Ruth Page was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 22, 1899. She began studying dance at the age of seven, and by the time she was a teenager, she was performing professionally. In 1917, she moved to Chicago to study with the legendary choreographer Michel Fokine. Fokine was a major influence on Page's work, and she quickly became one of his most talented students.

In 1921, Page made her professional debut with the Chicago Opera Ballet. She quickly became a star, and she soon began choreographing her own ballets. In 1923, she founded the Ruth Page School of Dance, which became one of the most prestigious dance schools in the United States.

Major Works

Page choreographed over 100 ballets, many of which are still performed today. Some of her most famous works include:

• Frontier (1935)
• Billy Sunday (1939)
• The Jest of Hahalaba (1942)
• Carmina Burana (1956)
• The Nutcracker (1965)

Page's ballets are known for their athleticism, dramatic intensity, and emotional power. She was a master of storytelling, and her ballets often explored themes such as love, loss, and redemption.

Influence and Legacy

Ruth Page was a major influence on the development of modern dance in the United States. She was one of the first choreographers to incorporate elements of jazz and folk dance into her work, and she was also a pioneer in the use of film and technology in dance.

Page's legacy continues to inspire dancers and choreographers around the world. Her work is still performed by major dance companies, and her school continues to train young dancers who are carrying on her tradition of innovation and excellence.

Personal Life

Ruth Page was married twice. Her first marriage, to Edwin Strawbridge, ended in divorce. In 1941, she married Thomas Hart Benton, a famous American painter. Page and Benton had one child, a daughter named Martha Graham. Page died in Chicago on December 7, 1991.

Ruth Page was a pioneering dancer, choreographer, and artistic director. She was a major force in the development of modern dance in the United States, and her work continues to be performed and celebrated around the world. Page was a true visionary, and her legacy will continue to inspire dancers and choreographers for generations to come.

Ruth Page: The Woman in the Work

by Joellen A. Meglin

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	47627 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	584 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE