Katherine Dunham

Katherine Dunham was a pioneering dancer and choreographer known for her innovative interpretations of dance inspired by her fieldwork in the Caribbean, South America, and Africa.

Dancer

June 22, 1909

May 21, 2006

96

Katherine Dunham, born on June 22, 1909, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, was a renowned American dancer, choreographer, anthropologist, and social activist. With a highly successful dance career spanning the 20th century, she directed her own dance company for an extended period. As a trailblazer in dance anthropology, Dunham drew inspiration from her fieldwork in the Caribbean, South America, and Africa to create innovative dance interpretations. She is celebrated for fusing African and Caribbean dance movements with classical ballet techniques, transforming modern American dance.

Dunham’s notable works include her contributions to Broadway productions such as “Cabin in the Sky” and “Bal Negre,” as well as her groundbreaking research on the dances of Haiti and the Caribbean. Her dance troupe performed numerous original works, including “Batucada,” “L’ag’ya,” “Shango,” “Veracruzana,” “Nanigo,” “Choros,” “Rite de Passage,” and “Los Indios.” The company toured worldwide for two decades, enthralling audiences in 57 countries with their dynamic and highly theatrical performances.

Besides her dance career, Dunham was a civil rights activist and the founder of the Katherine Dunham School of Dance. During World War II, she served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), utilizing her dance training to gather intelligence from diplomats and military officials in the Caribbean.

Katherine Dunham passed away on May 21, 2006, in New York, New York, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneer in the realms of dance and anthropology.