Process

You will be planning a Modern Dance bash worthy of modern dance pioneers that will include appropriate entertainment, guests, attire, and food of the early twentieth century.  In a group of four you will research the historical, cultural and social background for information which will lead you to make your choices for your party plan.  Each individual will be responsible for helping to research background information with the group, gathering information regarding his/her role as well as the success of the group in planning the party and selling it to the class.

1)  With your group members divide up the general background research on Modern Dance and the beginning years as well as the background information on pioneers of Modern Dance.  Make a list of all the interesting facts/information and indicate what you might want to know more about.

       General background on Modern Dance and the early years:

       Background information on pioneers of Modern Dance:

Isadora Duncan: 

Martha Graham:

 Ted Shawn:
 

Doris Humphrey:

 

Charles Weidman:

 

2)  After each group member has searched all of the sites, meet and share what you have found.  One by one, read the interesting facts that you have found to one another.  The goal of this step is to "debrief" the information you've found so that you all have some common knowledge about Modern Dance and the beginning years.  Although your discussions will be informal, there should be much dialogue about what you have learned about this dance movement.

3)  Next, among yourselves, choose your roles (each member of the group will have a different role):

Caterer: You are responsible for the food and beverages.  It is up to you to plan the menu.  Give care and consideration what to serve the large and diverse cadre of people who will be coming to your party.  You are also planning for a time before microwaves and "fast" foods, so keep that in mind.  

Entertainment Coordinator:  You are responsible for the entertainment for the party.  What was popular in music and especially dance at this time?  Are you going to invite the pioneers of Modern Dance or are you going to hire the pioneers of Modern Dance to perform and entertain during your party?  What other forms of entertainment were popular during the twentieth century (games, activites, etc).  Keep in mind what influenced the dancers during this time as well. 

 Fashion Consultant:  You are responsible for assisting the guests in choosing appropriate dress for the event.  Since this is a formal affair, how specifically would you suggest your guests dress?  Should your guests dress as Modern Dancers dress.  Don't forget the accessories: hats, shoes, purses, gloves, ties, etc.  Pay attention to the details (just like you do when you go to the prom!).  Of equal importance, the fashion consultant must alter the guests on what NOT to wear; you don't want any of the guests showing up in anything out-of-date, unfashionable, or inappropriate.

Guest Coordinator:  You are responsible for setting the quest list. You want a representative quest list of as many walks of life of the twentieth century as possible; it would not have been unusual for a known bootlegger to "hob nob" with the police commissioner, for example.  You will choose at least three people living in the twentieth century from each of the following areas to invite: government/politics; the arts (ex: painting, sculpture,classical music); popular entertainment (movies, Broadway theater, radio, sports,etc); business community; the "mob." (minimum of 15 invited guests)

5) Now you will begin your role research.  Make sure you are keeping well organized notes.  Write down anything that may be of interest and anything that will help make your party presentation interesting to the class.

General American History:

Caterer:

Fashion Consultant: Entertainment Coordinator: Guest Coordinator: 6)  After you have done your initial research, your group should meet to share its findings.  You should, at this time, discuss among yourselves what you have found and more importantly how you can use what you have found to plan your party.  Your group should collaborate on putting together the actual party plan and structuring it for presentation to the class.  You will have some latitude in how you present the information, however, there are some requirements that you must meet.  Your presentation must include at least one visual component, one auditory component, and one live physical demonstration of something that your group thinks will help to clarify, elaborate or explain your party choices.  For example, your group could come dressed in the fashion of the 20th Century, play some music from the twenties, show video clips of movies of the twenties, teach the class the latest twenties dance craze, provide a sampling of the food to be served.  The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.  Let the teacher know of any special accommodations that you will need for your presentation in advance (TV/DVD, computer with projector,etc).

7)  Present you party plan to the class. Remember that your audience should be aware and understand the choices your group has made as they relate to the cultural, social and historical background of  Modern Dance and Twentieth Century.  Your presentation should include all required elements and roles and endeavor to inform and to capture the spirit of Modern Dance in America.  Try to entertain and persuade your  classmates to want to have your party as our class party.  At the end of the presentation, the group will turn in all of its research and planning to the teacher.  Once all of the classes presentations have happened we will vote as a class on which party we would like to be a part of.