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American Indian Dance Theatre

January 01, 1970

American Indian Dance Theatre is a professional performing arts company presenting the dances and songs of Native Americans in the United States and the First Nations of Canada.

History edit

The group was founded in 1987 with Hanay Geiogamah as director and Barbara Schwei as producer. Raoul Trujilloserved as choreographer and co-director. The creation of the company resulted from the success of a previous production led by Geiogamah and Schwei the previous year.[1] The group includes members from many different tribal backgrounds. Their first performance was in Washington, D.C. at Ford's Theater.[1] It made its New York City debut in 1989 in Manhattan's Joyce Theater. They tour to various locations including the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East.[2]

In 2006, American Indian Dance Theater joined a multicultural consortium called the "Cultural Roundtable" at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in order to attract various audiences in the downtown Los Angeles area.[3] Other performance groups belonging to the Cultural Roundtable include the Latino Theater Company, Playwrights' Arena, Robey Theatre Company, Culture Clash and Cedar Grove OnStage.

Features edit

The company aims to tackle stereotypes and allow for an understanding of their culture through different platforms, such as live performances, television, and films.[1] Their performances include both ceremonial and seasonal dances that all tell stories of the Native American heritage.[4] Geiogamah noted in one interview that the performances act in opposition to Hollywood depictions and inaccurate media, ensuring the dances are authentic, but also educational.[5] He also created a system to categorize the different types of American Indian dances that stem from 430 tribes in the U.S.[6] A few examples of the tribes include the Zuni, Yakima, Warm Springs, Apache, Assiniboine, Navajo, Sioux, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Chippewa, Comanche, Southern Ute, Cree, Creek, Crow, Kiowa, Hidatsa, and Delaware.[7] Geiogamah researches and combines different elements of the dances to form new content while still keeping the authenticity and meaning of the originals alive.[6]

These dances also involve music and costumes with a large focus on tradition.[8] One distinct feature of this group is that the dancers involved originate from 20 different tribes.[9] Within the performances, there are dancers, drummers, and singers, and there is large focus on details such as the animal masks, the traditional jewelry, and handmade feathered and beaded costumes.[10]

Performances edit

Some notable events include the Pillow debut performance in which the company collaborated with two Hawaiian groups in 1995 and 1998.[4] Another includes performances with the titles "Eagle Dance" and "Hoop Dance" in which the stories of creation are told and communicated through the sign language of the Native peoples.[8] The Eagle Dance tends to vary depending on the region in which it is performed, but the underlying theme of maturity and growth is still present within each.[6] The Hoop Dance comes from a legend in which a man who was dying aspired to leave a mark on earth and was given the opportunity to obtain more hoops for every natural form he was able to recreate.[6] Another notable dance performed by the American Indian Dance Theatre includes "The Warrior Prepares," which explains how the concept of warriors came to be.[7]

Recognition edit

The group has been nominated for both a Grammy and Emmy award.[11] In 1993, they had an Emmy nomination in the category "Outstanding Children's Program."[12]

Influence edit

The company was mentioned as inspirations for other tribal dance groups, such as Indigenous Enterprise, due to their influential means of story-telling.[13]

Films edit

  • American Indian Dance Theater. Vol. 1, Finding the Circle (1996). Originally produced in 1989 as a segment of the PBS television series Great Performances/Dance in America. A production of WNET/Thirteen in association with Tatge/Lasseur Productions, Inc. Directed by Merrill Brockway. Phoenix, Arizona: Canyon Records & Indian Arts. Presents a variety of Indian dances, performed on stage and at various international powwows. Includes Plains Indians' hoop, eagle, and Apache Crown Dances, the Zuni rainbow dance, powwow dances (grass, men's traditional and fancy, women's fancy shawl),and Plains snake and buffalo dances.
  • American Indian Dance Theater (1996). Dances for the New Generations. Produced in 1993 for PBS Great Performances/Dance in America. Produced by Barbara Schwei and Hanay Geiogamah, in association with Phil Lucas Productions. Directed by Phil Lucas and Hanay Geiogamah. Performances of Native American Indian dances performed with traditional drums and music. The dancers wear traditional native regalia and makeup, and perform in various venues, including a powwow. Includes dances from the Northwest (Makah and Kwakiutl), Northeast (Seneca and Penobscot), and Plains Indians.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "American Indian Dance Theatre | Coming to Theaters Near You in 2023". Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  2. ^ "American Indian Dance Theatre". IMG Artists. 2022-07-29. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  3. ^ "World Famous American Indian Dance Theatre, American Indian Dance Theatre is a specialized performing arts company". www.danceanddance.com. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  4. ^ a b "American Indian Dance Theater: Traditional Dances". Jacob’s Pillow Dance Interactive. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  5. ^ Andrea Heiman (1992-02-13). "Dancers Hope to Shatter Stereotypes : * The Arts: American Indian Dance Theater brings audiences the beauty and truth in tribal performing arts. 'The dances reflect the living culture, and a vital reality.'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  6. ^ a b c d "Artsource - American Indian Dance Theater by The Music Center - Issuu". issuu.com. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  7. ^ a b Sondak, Eileen (1989-10-18). "Theater Group Keeps Culture of Tribes Alive : Dance: American Indian Dance Theatre helps preserve traditions of many tribes with acclaimed performances on far-flung tours". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  8. ^ a b "Music Center | American Indian Dance Theater". www.musiccenter.org. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  9. ^ Waldman, Carl; Braun, Molly (2009). Atlas of the North American Indian. Infobase Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4381-2671-5.
  10. ^ "American Indian Dance Theatre. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  11. ^ "NativeWeb Resources: Dancers, Dance Groups, Outfits". www.nativeweb.org. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  12. ^ "DANCE IN AMERICA: AMERICAN INDIAN DANCE THEATRE". Television Academy. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  13. ^ Seibert, Brian (2021-11-03). "A New Kind of Native American Dance Troupe". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-21.

External links edit

January 01, 1970
american, indian, dance, theatre, professional, performing, arts, company, presenting, dances, songs, native, americans, united, states, first, nations, canada, contents, history, features, performances, recognition, influence, films, references, external, lin. American Indian Dance Theatre is a professional performing arts company presenting the dances and songs of Native Americans in the United States and the First Nations of Canada Contents 1 History 2 Features 3 Performances 4 Recognition 5 Influence 6 Films 7 References 8 External linksHistory editThe group was founded in 1987 with Hanay Geiogamah as director and Barbara Schwei as producer Raoul Trujilloserved as choreographer and co director The creation of the company resulted from the success of a previous production led by Geiogamah and Schwei the previous year 1 The group includes members from many different tribal backgrounds Their first performance was in Washington D C at Ford s Theater 1 It made its New York City debut in 1989 in Manhattan s Joyce Theater They tour to various locations including the United States Canada Europe Asia North Africa and the Middle East 2 In 2006 American Indian Dance Theater joined a multicultural consortium called the Cultural Roundtable at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in order to attract various audiences in the downtown Los Angeles area 3 Other performance groups belonging to the Cultural Roundtable include the Latino Theater Company Playwrights Arena Robey Theatre Company Culture Clash and Cedar Grove OnStage Features editThe company aims to tackle stereotypes and allow for an understanding of their culture through different platforms such as live performances television and films 1 Their performances include both ceremonial and seasonal dances that all tell stories of the Native American heritage 4 Geiogamah noted in one interview that the performances act in opposition to Hollywood depictions and inaccurate media ensuring the dances are authentic but also educational 5 He also created a system to categorize the different types of American Indian dances that stem from 430 tribes in the U S 6 A few examples of the tribes include the Zuni Yakima Warm Springs Apache Assiniboine Navajo Sioux Cherokee Cheyenne Chippewa Comanche Southern Ute Cree Creek Crow Kiowa Hidatsa and Delaware 7 Geiogamah researches and combines different elements of the dances to form new content while still keeping the authenticity and meaning of the originals alive 6 These dances also involve music and costumes with a large focus on tradition 8 One distinct feature of this group is that the dancers involved originate from 20 different tribes 9 Within the performances there are dancers drummers and singers and there is large focus on details such as the animal masks the traditional jewelry and handmade feathered and beaded costumes 10 Performances editSome notable events include the Pillow debut performance in which the company collaborated with two Hawaiian groups in 1995 and 1998 4 Another includes performances with the titles Eagle Dance and Hoop Dance in which the stories of creation are told and communicated through the sign language of the Native peoples 8 The Eagle Dance tends to vary depending on the region in which it is performed but the underlying theme of maturity and growth is still present within each 6 The Hoop Dance comes from a legend in which a man who was dying aspired to leave a mark on earth and was given the opportunity to obtain more hoops for every natural form he was able to recreate 6 Another notable dance performed by the American Indian Dance Theatre includes The Warrior Prepares which explains how the concept of warriors came to be 7 Recognition editThe group has been nominated for both a Grammy and Emmy award 11 In 1993 they had an Emmy nomination in the category Outstanding Children s Program 12 Influence editThe company was mentioned as inspirations for other tribal dance groups such as Indigenous Enterprise due to their influential means of story telling 13 Films editAmerican Indian Dance Theater Vol 1 Finding the Circle 1996 Originally produced in 1989 as a segment of the PBS television series Great Performances Dance in America A production of WNET Thirteen in association with Tatge Lasseur Productions Inc Directed by Merrill Brockway Phoenix Arizona Canyon Records amp Indian Arts Presents a variety of Indian dances performed on stage and at various international powwows Includes Plains Indians hoop eagle and Apache Crown Dances the Zuni rainbow dance powwow dances grass men s traditional and fancy women s fancy shawl and Plains snake and buffalo dances American Indian Dance Theater 1996 Dances for the New Generations Produced in 1993 for PBS Great Performances Dance in America Produced by Barbara Schwei and Hanay Geiogamah in association with Phil Lucas Productions Directed by Phil Lucas and Hanay Geiogamah Performances of Native American Indian dances performed with traditional drums and music The dancers wear traditional native regalia and makeup and perform in various venues including a powwow Includes dances from the Northwest Makah and Kwakiutl Northeast Seneca and Penobscot and Plains Indians References edit a b c American Indian Dance Theatre Coming to Theaters Near You in 2023 Retrieved 2023 02 21 American Indian Dance Theatre IMG Artists 2022 07 29 Retrieved 2023 02 21 World Famous American Indian Dance Theatre American Indian Dance Theatre is a specialized performing arts company www danceanddance com Retrieved 2023 02 21 a b American Indian Dance Theater Traditional Dances Jacob s Pillow Dance Interactive Retrieved 2023 02 21 Andrea Heiman 1992 02 13 Dancers Hope to Shatter Stereotypes The Arts American Indian Dance Theater brings audiences the beauty and truth in tribal performing arts The dances reflect the living culture and a vital reality Los Angeles Times Retrieved 2023 03 07 a b c d Artsource American Indian Dance Theater by The Music Center Issuu issuu com Retrieved 2023 03 07 a b Sondak Eileen 1989 10 18 Theater Group Keeps Culture of Tribes Alive Dance American Indian Dance Theatre helps preserve traditions of many tribes with acclaimed performances on far flung tours Los Angeles Times Retrieved 2023 03 07 a b Music Center American Indian Dance Theater www musiccenter org Retrieved 2023 02 21 Waldman Carl Braun Molly 2009 Atlas of the North American Indian Infobase Publishing ISBN 978 1 4381 2671 5 American Indian Dance Theatre Free Online Library www thefreelibrary com Retrieved 2023 02 21 NativeWeb Resources Dancers Dance Groups Outfits www nativeweb org Retrieved 2023 02 21 DANCE IN AMERICA AMERICAN INDIAN DANCE THEATRE Television Academy Retrieved 2023 02 21 Seibert Brian 2021 11 03 A New Kind of Native American Dance Troupe The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved 2023 02 21 External links editOfficial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title American Indian Dance Theatre amp oldid 1223135167, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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