Speaking of Dance: Twelve Contemporary Choreographers on Their Craft

Speaking of Dance: Twelve Contemporary Choreographers on Their Craftjuxtaposes the choreographic processes of some of America's most engaging -- and revolutionary -- choreographers. Based on personal interviews, the book's narratives reveal, among others, Merce Cunningham's unquenchable fascination with movement, Meredith Monk's spiritual quest, Bill T. Jones's desire to change the world, Trisha Brown's engagement with structure, and Mark Morris' profound musicality. Morgenroth shows how the ideas, craft, and passion that go into their work have led these choreographers to disrupt set forms and expectations: dancing on the sides of buildings, in city streets, in rivers and lakes; moving to music, sounds, speech, and silence; costumed in ordinary clothes, shredded leotards, or nothing at all. The history of dance in the making is revealed through the stories of these intelligent, articulate, and witty dancemakers. Put away your old dance composition primers and see how these choreographers can openyour eyes and minds to what dance can be. Profiled Choreographers: Merce Cunningham; Anna Halprin; David Gordon; Trisha Brown; Lucinda Childs; Meredith Monk; Elizabeth Streb; Eiko Otake; Bill T. Jones; Ann Carlson; Mark Morris; John Jasperse

Joyce Morgenroth is Associate Professor of Dance at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York