During the Middle Ages, dance became increasingly popular as a form of entertainment, and it was often performed at court and in traveling theaters. In the 15th century, dance began to be incorporated into theatrical performances, and it eventually became an essential element of many plays.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, dance became highly stylized and codified, and it was often used to express emotions and tell stories in ballets and operas. During the Romantic period in the 19th century, dance became more expressive and fluid, and it was often used to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion in plays and operas.
In the 20th century, theater dance continued to evolve and diversify, and it was incorporated into a wide range of theatrical productions, from musicals and revues to plays and operas. Today, theater dance is an essential part of many theatrical performances, and it is enjoyed by audiences around the world.
Here are some key figures in the history of theater dance:
* Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687): A French composer and choreographer, Lully is considered the founder of French opera. He created ballets and operas that featured intricate and elaborate dance sequences.
* Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810): A French choreographer and ballet theorist, Noverre is credited with developing the art of ballet d'action, which emphasized the use of dance to tell stories and express emotions.
* Carlo Blasis (1797-1878): An Italian dancer, choreographer, and writer, Blasis is considered one of the most important figures in the history of ballet. He developed a system of ballet technique that is still used today.
* Isadora Duncan (1877-1927): An American dancer and choreographer, Duncan is considered the founder of modern dance. She rejected the traditional ballet technique and created a new style of dance that was more natural and expressive.
* Martha Graham (1894-1991): An American dancer and choreographer, Graham is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of modern dance. She developed a technique of movement that emphasized contraction and release and created a new style of dance that was both expressive and powerful.