Outside the Mainstream: A Comparison of Alwin Nikolais's Works to Modern and Postmodern Dance of the 1960s

• Other Authors: Perry, Beth (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Dance
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2010

This thesis compares the works of Alwin Nikolais from the decade of the 1960s with those of artists working in both the modern and postmodern dance idioms. In the study, the category of modern dance is represented by the choreographic works of Martha Graham and José Limón, while postmodern dance is epitomized by the work of the artists of Judson Dance Theater. By the 1960s Nikolais was an established member of the dance world, but was not seen as a part of the mainstream because of his innovative use of lighting design, slide projections, musical accompaniment, costume design, and props. Because of his heavy reliance on these elements, Nikolais cannot be categorized with the newer postmodern generation who were rebelling against the ideals of their predecessors. === A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Dance in Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts. === Spring Semester, 2008. === March 24, 2008. === Alwin Nikolais, Murray Louis, Martha Graham, José Limón, Judson Dance Theater, Steve Paxton, Yvonne Rainer, Abstract Dance, Postmodern Dance, Modern Dance, 1960s === Includes bibliographical references. === John Perpener, Professor Directing Thesis; Sally Sommer, Committee Member; Tricia Young, Committee Member.