Shawn, Ted, 1891-1972

American dancer and choreographer.

Dancer, choreographer, educator, and writer,Ted Shawn (1891-1972) was a seminal figure in American dance.

Among his many notable accomplishments was the founding of the Denishawn School of Dancing, with his wife, Ruth St. Denis. Within a few years of their opening of the first Denishawn school in Los Angeles, Shawn and St. Denis had established Denishawn schools throughout the United States and built up an extensive repertory of dances, which they performed with their company of Denishawn Dancers on tours of the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Far East from 1915-1932. Some of their dancers, including Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, later went on to develop the field of modern dance. In 1932 Denishawn disbanded, and Shawn and St. Denis pursued separate careers. He developed a company of all male dancers in an effort to prove that dancing was an acceptable art form for men. They rehearsed, choreographed, and trained at Jacob's Pillow, Shawn's farm in Lee, Massachusetts, and performed throughout the United States from 1933 to 1940. An outgrowth of these efforts was the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and University of the Dance, which, by combining daily classes and evening performances, became the first intensive summer dance program in the United States. In addition to his work at Jacob's Pillow, Shawn lectured at universities and other institutions throughout the United States. During his lifetime he also published nine books. Shawn continued to direct Jacob's Pillow every summer and also pursued his career as a scholarly speaker and writer until the time of his death.

Ted Shawn, 1891-1972, American dancer, choreographer, and educator:

co-founded Denishawn school and company with Ruth St. Denis, 1915; when Denishawn was disbanded in 1931, he established a school at his Massachusetts farm (later called Jacob's Pillow) and his own company, Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers, which toured the United States from 1933-1940.

Barton Mumaw, b. 1912, dancer with Denishawn and Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers:

lead dancer in Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers, 1933-1948; Broadway and theater dance, 1948-1958; began reconstructing Ted Shawn's dances in 1973.

Ted Shawn (1891-1972), well known for his pioneering efforts in American modern dance, began dancing as a means of physical therapy. In his third year of studying for the ministry at the University of Denver, he contracted a case of diphtheria, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. While he was nursing himself back to health, he realized that dancing would become his lifetime career.

Shawn's first teacher was Hazel Wallack in Denver, with whom he studied ballet and ballroom exhibition dancing. At the same time he worked independently and began to perform his own choreographic works. In 1912 Shawn moved to Los Angeles, where he established a school and small performing company. The following year he and his dancing partner, Norma Gould, embarked with their company of Interpretive Dancers upon a cross-country tour and reached New York after nineteen performances.

While in New York Shawn arranged his first meeting with Ruth St. Denis. He had seen her perform in Denver and was convinced that they should work together. During their first meeting they discussed their artistic ideas and ambitions, and Shawn returned the next day to demonstrate his dancing. He was then hired by Miss St. Denis' brother and manager to be her partner. On April 13, 1914, Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn began a tour of the southern United States. In August of the same year they were married.

In 1915 they founded the first Denishawn school in Los Angeles with the intent of providing students with a diversified dance education. They believed that a dancer should learn all styles of dance rather than concentrating on one form; therefore, they offered classes in ballet, modern, ethnic, and creative dance. Within a few years Shawn and Miss St. Denis had established Denishawn schools throughout the United States. They built up an extensive repertory of spiritual, ethnic, character, and “music visualization” dances, which they performed with their company of Denishawn Dancers on tours of the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Far East from 1915-1932. Some of their dancers, including Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, later went on to develop the field of modern dance. In 1932 Denishawn disbanded, and Shawn and Miss St. Denis pursued separate careers.

Shawn established a company of all male dancers in an effort to prove that dancing was an acceptable art form for men. They rehearsed, choreographed, and trained at Jacob's Pillow, Shawn's farm in Lee, Massachusetts, and performed throughout the United States from 1933 to 1940. Shawn continued to perform, generally as a solo artist, until 1962, but after 1940 his efforts became more concentrated upon dance in education. He established the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and University of the Dance which, by combining daily classes and evening performances, became the first intensive summer dance program in the United States. Shawn's primary aim again was to provide students with a well-rounded dance background, which he achieved by inviting performers and instructors from all over the world.

In addition to his work at Jacob's Pillow, Shawn lectured at universities and other institutions throughout the United States. During his lifetime he also published nine books, including: Ruth St. Denis: Pioneer and Prophet (1920), The American Ballet (1926), Gods who Dance (1929), Fundamentals of a Dance Education (1935), Dance We Must (1940), How Beautiful Upon the Mountain (1944), Every Little Movement (1954), Thirty-three Years of American Dance (1959), and One Thousand and One Night Stands (with Gray Poole, 1960).

Shawn continued to direct Jacob's Pillow every summer and also pursue his career as a scholarly speaker and writer until his death in 1972.

Barton Mumaw, born August 20, 1912 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania but raised in Eustis, Florida, started dance training in his hometown, taking part in infrequently offered ballet and modern dance classes, as well as dance correspondence classes through the mail. After seeing the Denishawn troup perform during a Florida tour, he went to New York to take the 1930 summer course at the Denishawn School. After New York, he returned to Orlando, Florida to study music at the Rollins College. In 1931, Mumaw left rollins to become Ted Shawn's chauffer and dresser, and a member of Denishawn, in exchange for tuition, board, and meals. When Denishawn disbanded in 1932, Mumaw followed Shawn to Becket, Massachusetts, to the farm later called Jacob's Pillow. Their relationship was as fellow dancers, choreographers, lovers, and companions. In 1933, Shawn put together an all-male touring group called Ted Shawn's Men Dancers. Mumaw created many leading roles in the company as for seven years, the troup travelled across the United States and Canada. Mumaw not only danced in Shawn's choreographies, but also created many of his own. With the approach of World War II, Ted Shawn's Men Dancers was disbanded and Mumaw launched a solo recital tour, which continued even in the armed forces where he served as an Entertainment Specialist from 1942-1946. Mumaw worked from 1948-1958 in the world of musical theater, performing on Broadway and in touring musicals such as Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun, The Golden Apple, and My Fair Lady. Mumaw's connection with Ted Shawn and Jacob's Pillow continued as he performed and taught at the summer dance camp. In 1973, Mumaw recontructed Shawn's Kinetic Molpai for the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Working with the former Denishawn dancer, Jane Sherman, Mumaw published his biography, entitled Barton Mumaw, Dancer: from Denishawn to Jacob's Pillow and Beyond. In 1991, he coached revivals for a Shawn centennial program know as Jacob's Pillow's Men Dancers, performed at New York City's Joyce Theater and toured nationally. He died in Clearwater, Florida June 18, 2001.

Ted Shawn (1891-1972), well known for his pioneering efforts in American modern dance, began dancing as a means of physical therapy. In his third year of studying for the ministry at the University of Denver, he contracted a case of diphtheria, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. While he was nursing himself back to health, he realized that dancing would become his life-time career.

Shawn's first teacher was Hazel Wallack in Denver, with whom he studied ballet and ballroom exhibition dancing. At the same time he worked independently and began to perform his own choreographic works. In 1912 Shawn moved to Los Angeles, where he established a school and small performing company. The following year he and his dancing partner, Norma Gould, embarked with their company of Interpretive Dancers upon a cross-country tour and reached New York after nineteen performances.

While in New York Shawn arranged his first meeting with Ruth St. Denis. He had seen her perform in Denver and was convinced that they should work together. During their first meeting they discussed their artistic ideas and ambitions, and Shawn returned the next day to demonstrate his dancing. He was then hired by Miss St. Denis' brother and manager to be her partner. On April 13, 1914, Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn began a tour of the southern United States. In August of the same year they were married.

In 1915 they founded the first Denishawn school in Los Angeles with the intent of providing students with a diversified dance education. They believed that a dancer should learn all styles of dance rather than concentrating on one form; therefore, they offered classes in ballet, modern, ethnic, and creative dance. Within a few years Shawn and Miss St. Denis had established Denishawn schools throughout the United States. They built up an extensive repertory of spiritual, ethnic, character, and “music visualization” dances, which they performed with their company of Denishawn Dancers on tours of the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Far East from 1915-1932. Some of their dancers, including Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, later went on to develop the field of modern dance. In 1932 Denishawn disbanded, and Shawn and Miss St. Denis pursued separate careers.

Shawn established a company of all male dancers in an effort to prove that dancing was an acceptable art form for men. They rehearsed, choreographed, and trained at Jacob's Pillow, Shawn's farm in Lee, Massachusetts, and performed throughout the United States from 1933 to 1940. Shawn continued to perform, generally as a solo artist, until 1962, but after 1940 his efforts became more concentrated upon dance in education. He established the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and University of the Dance which, by combining daily classes and evening performances, became the first intensive summer dance program in the United States. Shawn's primary aim again was to provide students with a well-rounded dance background, which he achieved by inviting performers and instructors from all over the world.

In addition to his work at Jacob's Pillow, Shawn lectured at universities and other institutions throughout the United States. During his lifetime he also published nine books, including: Ruth St. Denis: Pioneer and Prophet (1920), The American Ballet (1926), Gods who Dance (1929), Fundamentals of a Dance Education (1935), Dance We Must (1940), How Beautiful Upon the Mountain (1944), Every Little Movement (1954), Thirty-three Years of American Dance (1959), and One Thousand and One Night Stands (with Gray Poole, 1960).

Shawn continued to direct Jacob's Pillow every summer and also pursue his career as a scholarly speaker and writer until his death in 1972.

Ted Shawn was born Edwin Myers Shawn in Kansas City, Missouri on October 21, 1891. Shawn was the second of two boys in the family. In 1903, his older brother died and then eight months later his mother died. Shawn was devastated. He and his father lived in boarding houses until his father remarried. In 1906 he moved to Denver, Colorado, to be with his father and stepmother.

Shawn entered the University of Denver in 1911, to study to become a minister. In his third year he became ill with diphtheria, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. He began dancing as a means of physical therapy. He enjoyed dancing so much that he left school.

Shawn's first dance teacher in Denver was Hazel Wallack, with whom he studied ballet and ballroom exhibition dancing. In 1912 Shawn moved to Los Angeles, where he established a school and small performing company. The following year he and his dancing partner, Norma Gould, embarked with their company of Interpretive Dancers upon a cross-country tour and reached New York after nineteen performances.

Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn met early in 1914. Shortly thereafter they began a tour of the southern United States with their newly formed dance troupe. In August of that same year they were married. They founded the first Denishawn School in Los Angeles with the intent of providing students with a diversified dance education a year later.

The Denishawn Dancers toured the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Far East from 1915-1932. Some of their dancers, Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, and Eleanor King, later went on to develop the field of modern dance. In 1933, Shawn and St. Denis dissolved Denishawn. The couple also separated at this same time, though they never divorced.

After the end of Denishawn in 1933, Shawn established a company of all male dancers in an effort to prove that dancing was an acceptable art form for men. They rehearsed, choreographed, and trained at Jacob's Pillow, Shawn's farm in Lee, Massachusetts. They toured and performed throughout the United States from 1933 to 1940 when so many of the men enlisted in the service and fought in WWII.

Shawn continued to perform, generally as a solo artist, until 1962, even though he concentrated more upon dance in education after 1940.

Shawn purchased a non-working farm in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts sometime before 1933. He used the place as a training center for his Men's Dancer group. At the suggestion of friends, he opened rehearsals to the public for a small fee. Through this humble beginning, the world-famous Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival was created. The Festival continues to each year highlight dancers and dance companies from around the world.

In 1940 Mary Washington Ball leased the Pillow and established the dance school. Shawn was hired to teach at the school. Over time it became The University of the Dance, the first intensive summer dance program in the United States, combines daily classes and evening performances.

Shawn directed the festival until his death. After a lengthy illness Ted Shawn died on January 9, 1972 in Orlando, Florida.

Ted Shawn (1891-1972), well known for his pioneering efforts in American modern dance, began dancing as a means of physical therapy. In his third year of studying for the ministry at the University of Denver, he contracted a case of diphtheria, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. While he was nursing himself back to health, he realized that dancing would become his lifetime career.

Shawn's first teacher was Hazel Wallack in Denver, with whom he studied ballet and ballroom exhibition dancing. At the same time he worked independently and began to perform his own choreographic works. In 1912 Shawn moved to Los Angeles, where he established a school and small performing company. The following year he and his dancing partner, Norma Gould, embarked with their company of Interpretive Dancers upon a cross-country tour and reached New York after nineteen performances.

While in New York Shawn arranged his first meeting with Ruth St. Denis. He had seen her perform in Denver and was convinced that they should work together. During their first meeting they discussed their artistic ideas and ambitions, and Shawn returned the next day to demonstrate his dancing. He was then hired by Miss St. Denis' brother and manager to be her partner. On April 13, 1914, Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn began a tour of the southern United States. In August of the same year they were married.

In 1915 they founded the first Denishawn school in Los Angeles with the intent of providing students with a diversified dance education. They believed that a dancer should learn all styles of dance rather than concentrating on one form; therefore, they offered classes in ballet, modern, ethnic, and creative dance. Within a few years Shawn and Miss St. Denis had established Denishawn schools throughout the United States. They built up an extensive repertory of spiritual, ethnic, character, and “music visualization” dances, which they performed with their company of Denishawn Dancers on tours of the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Far East from 1915-1932. Some of their dancers, including Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, later went on to develop the field of modern dance. In 1932 Denishawn disbanded, and Shawn and Miss St. Denis pursued separate careers.

Shawn established a company of all male dancers in an effort to prove that dancing was an acceptable art form for men. They rehearsed, choreographed, and trained at Jacob's Pillow, Shawn's farm in Lee, Massachusetts, and performed throughout the United States from 1933 to 1940. Shawn continued to perform, generally as a solo artist, until 1962, but after 1940 his efforts became more concentrated upon dance in education. He established the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and University of the Dance which, by combining daily classes and evening performances, became the first intensive summer dance program in the United States. Shawn's primary aim again was to provide students with a well-rounded dance background, which he achieved by inviting performers and instructors from all over the world.

In addition to his work at Jacob's Pillow, Shawn lectured at universities and other institutions throughout the United States. During his lifetime he also published nine books, including: Ruth St. Denis: Pioneer and Prophet (1920), The American Ballet (1926), Gods who Dance (1929), Fundamentals of a Dance Education (1935), Dance We Must (1940), How Beautiful Upon the Mountain (1944), Every Little Movement (1954), Thirty-three Years of American Dance (1959), and One Thousand and One Night Stands (with Gray Poole, 1960).

Shawn continued to direct Jacob's Pillow every summer and also pursue his career as a scholarly speaker and writer until his death in 1972.

Barton Mumaw, born August 20, 1912 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania but raised in Eustis, Florida, started dance training in his hometown, taking part in infrequently offered ballet and modern dance classes, as well as dance correspondence classes through the mail. After seeing the Denishawn troup perform during a Florida tour, he went to New York to take the 1930 summer course at the Denishawn School. After New York, he returned to Orlando, Florida to study music at the Rollins College. In 1931, Mumaw left rollins to become Ted Shawn's chauffer and dresser, and a member of Denishawn, in exchange for tuition, board, and meals. When Denishawn disbanded in 1932, Mumaw followed Shawn to Becket, Massachusetts, to the farm later called Jacob's Pillow. Their relationship was as fellow dancers, choreographers, lovers, and companions. In 1933, Shawn put together an all-male touring group called Ted Shawn's Men Dancers. Mumaw created many leading roles in the company as for seven years, the troup travelled across the United States and Canada. Mumaw not only danced in Shawn's choreographies, but also created many of his own. With the approach of World War II, Ted Shawn's Men Dancers was disbanded and Mumaw launched a solo recital tour, which continued even in the armed forces where he served as an Entertainment Specialist from 1942-1946. Mumaw worked from 1948-1958 in the world of musical theater, performing on Broadway and in touring musicals such as Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun, The Golden Apple, and My Fair Lady. Mumaw's connection with Ted Shawn and Jacob's Pillow continued as he performed and taught at the summer dance camp. In 1973, Mumaw recontructed Shawn's Kinetic Molpai for the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Working with the former Denishawn dancer, Jane Sherman, Mumaw published his biography, entitled Barton Mumaw, Dancer: from Denishawn to Jacob's Pillow and Beyond. In 1991, he coached revivals for a Shawn centennial program know as Jacob's Pillow's Men Dancers, performed at New York City's Joyce Theater and toured nationally. He died in Clearwater, Florida June 18, 2001.