Weidman, Charles

Weidman, Charles,

1901–75, American modern dancer and choreographer, b. Lincoln, Neb. Weidman performed with the troupe formed by Ruth St. DenisSt. Denis, Ruth
, 1877–1968, American dancer, b. Newark, N.J., whose name was originally Ruth Dennis. After her debut (c.1893) she toured with David Belasco. In 1906 she began her recitals of highly imaginative and spectacular dances inspired by the arts and religions of
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 and Ted ShawnShawn, Ted
(Edwin Myers Shawn), 1891–1972, American modern dancer and choreographer, b. Kansas City, Mo. Introduced to dance as physical therapy, he taught ballroom dancing, then married (1914) the dancer Ruth St. Denis.
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 from 1920 to 1927, when he and Doris HumphreyHumphrey, Doris,
1895–1958, American modern dancer and choreographer, b. Oak Park, Ill. Humphrey was a featured soloist with the Denishawn Company (see St. Denis, Ruth; Shawn, Ted) until 1927.
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 left to form their own company and school. He created many dances that combined abstract movement with gestures based on his own brilliant mime technique. After starting his own company and school in 1945, Weidman continued to teach and perform. In 1960 he established the Expression of the Two Arts Theater in New York City with the graphic artist Mikhail Santaro. Weidman's most renowned pupil was perhaps José LimónLimón, José
(José Arcadio Limón) , 1908–72, American modern dancer, choreographer, and teacher known for powerfully masculine dancing and dramatic choreography.
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.

Weidman, Charles (Edward, Jr.)

(1901–75) modern dancer, choreographer; born in Lincoln, Nebr. He trained at the Denishawn school and performed with the company for eight years, before forming his own with Doris Humphrey in 1928. Known for dramatic as well as comic portrayals, his best choreography included Atavisms (1936) and A Home Divided (1945). He founded Dance Theater Company in 1948 and encouraged the development of many male dancers.