Ruth St. Denis
American modern dance pioneer who introduced Eastern mysticism.
via Wikipedia: Frank B. A. Linton · see source
Ruth St. Denis, born Ruth Dennis in Newark, New Jersey, was an American pioneer of modern dance who introduced Eastern themes to the art form and opened pathways for women in dance. Her early training came from exercises based on François Delsarte’s system, learned as a child on her family’s New Jersey farm. A pivotal moment occurred when she saw the Delsarte advocate Genevieve Stebbins perform *The Dance of Day*, which she later called the true beginning of her artistic life. After a modest debut as a skirt dancer in 1894, she toured with producer David Belasco, absorbing his skill for theatrical atmosphere. In 1904, while on tour in Buffalo, a poster for Egyptian Deities cigarettes depicting the goddess Isis inspired her to create dances expressing mysticism, immersing her in Oriental philosophies. She adopted the stage name St. Denis and debuted her first solo, *Radha*, in 1906, drawing from Hindu mythology and set to music from Léo Delibes’ opera *Lakmé*. In 1909, she performed a Salome dance on Broadway during the “Salomania” craze, with one reviewer noting she outdid all other Salomes. Though her choreography was not culturally accurate, it conveyed her belief in dance as spiritual expression. In 1914, dancer Ted Shawn became her student, then her artistic partner and husband. Together they co-founded the Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts in 1915, teaching ballet without shoes, ethnic dance, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, and Delsarte gymnastics. Notable students included Martha Graham and Doris Humphrey. Denishawn created works like *Tillers of the Soil* and *Ishtar of the Seven Gates*. After Denishawn dissolved around 1930, St. Denis continued independently, founding Adelphi University’s pioneering dance program in 1938 and later the School of Nataya for Oriental dance. She taught for years at her California studio. Her signature solos are still performed, and she was inducted into the National Museum of Dance Hall of Fame in 1987.
- died
- July 21, 1968, Los Angeles, California
- field
- Modern dance
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Pioneering modern dance, introducing Eastern themes, co-founding Denishawn School
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Ruth St. Denis was raised on a small farm in New Jersey and studied Christian Science. As a child, she learned exercises based on François Delsarte's Society Gymnastics and Voice Culture, which became the foundation of her dance training. She debuted in 1894 as a skirt dancer at Worth's Family Theatre and Museum, later touring with producer David Belasco. A pivotal moment came in 1904 when she saw a poster for Egyptian Deities brand cigarettes depicting the goddess Isis, which inspired her to create dances expressing mysticism. Her first Oriental piece, *Radha*, premiered in 1906, drawing from Hindu mythology and set to music from Léo Delibes' opera *Lakmé*. In 1909, she performed a Salome dance at Broadway's Hudson Theatre during the 'Salomania' craze, with one reviewer declaring she “out-Salomeing all the Salomes.” She co-founded the Denishawn school in 1915 with Ted Shawn, where students studied ballet without shoes, ethnic dances, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, and Delsarte gymnastics. Notable students included Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman. St. Denis and Shawn toured throughout the 1910s and 1920s, often performing on vaudeville stages. In 1938, she founded Adelphi University's dance program, one of the first in an American university. She also established the School of Nataya in 1940, focusing on Oriental dance. Her later works combined religion and dance through her Rhythmic Choir of Dancers, and she published articles on spiritual dance and the mysticism of the body. Her signature solos continue to be performed.
Reader's Guide
Ruth St. Denis's significance lies in her role as a pioneer of modern dance, blending Eastern spiritual themes with Western theatrical forms. Her work, though not culturally accurate, expressed the mysticism she perceived in Oriental culture and captivated contemporary audiences. She believed dance to be a spiritual expression, a theme she explored throughout her career. Her legacy continues through her signature solos, which are still performed, and her induction into the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame in 1987. The global organization Dances of Universal Peace, started by her student Samuel L. Lewis, published many of her writings on spiritual dance and the mysticism of the body.
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