Lester Horton

Lester Horton
Lester Horton was an American dancer, choreographer, and teacher and was also the founder of modern dance. He was born on January 23, 1906 and died on November 2, 1953. His interest in dance started when he observed the American Indian tribal dances in a wild western show. He studied ballet for only two years with Mme. Theo Hewes .He decided to work in California, which was considered the center of modern dance at that time. He danced in Michio Ito’s dance company, and then formed his on dance company in 1932, known as the Lester Horton dancers. In addition, he established the Lester Horton Theater, one of the first permanent theaters dedicated to modern dance in the U.S., in Los Angeles in 1964. His company gave performances at major Los Angeles venues while Horton continued to teach young dancers. He paid for his dance companies by working as a Hollywood choreographer. Later on, Horton broke up his company to start a theater academy for dance. Lester is known for his combination of dance and drama, from what many like to call “choreo-dramas”. He was involved in all aspects of creating the productions: the costumes, sets, lighting, and music as well as the scenarios and choreography. He is one of the first choreographers to insist upon racial integration in his company. Horton’s legacy is most prominent today in Ailey’s work, and Horton technique is the foundation for pieces including revelations and cry.

Horton eventually invented his own dance technique, which is known as the Horton technique today. His technique incorporates Native American folk dance, Japanese arm gestures, and Javanese and Balinese isolation for the upper body, particularly the eyes, head and hands. Horton was fascinated by shapers and how dancer can move with these shapes through the space. The technique emphasizes a whole body and spatial awareness to enable unrestricted, dramatic freedom of expression. Horton technique is physically and mentally draining, working to...