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Website
www.istd.org/moderntheatre
History
Zelia
Raye was a dynamic pioneer of dance in the 1920s.
Her article Limbering and Stretching, which appeared
in the Dancing Times (1927) and her book Rational
Limbering, offered a revoltionary approach to dancing.
As a result of Raye's ideas the ISTD established the
Stage Branch (later to become the Modern Theatre Faculty)
in 1932 and invited Zelia Raye to create the first
syllabus.
Aims
Modern
Theatre Dance defies a single permanent definition.
This is largely due to its ability to adapt, develop
and evolve with the changing fashion in dance. Through
a carefully planned and well-tried examination syllabus,
which combines modern dance, jazz and other dance
styles, young people are trained to become disciplined
and versatile dancers who have a professional attitude
towards dance.
Examinations
A
series of examinations has been created from children's
grades through to professional teaching qualifications.
The children's work is based on natural movements:
walking, running, jumping and skipping. It is designed
to encourage an imaginative and rapid response from
beginners. The Jazz Awards provide a basic grounding
in modern jazz, and are ideal for the late beginner
or as a recreational course of movement. Boys' work
has been developed to meet increasing demand for a
modern dance training for boys.
Activities
At
the ISTD Congress the Faculty's programme reflects
the diversity of modern dance as invited guests from
the theatre give lecture demonstrations. By maintaining
close ties with the profession the Faculty ensures
that the syllabi reflect the trends in the theatre.
Courses are organised throughout the country and abroad
and these ensure that the standards of quality are
maintained at a national and international level.
A
highlight of the calendar is the Janet Cram Awards.
The Junior, Senior and Premier awards are for boys
and girls from
8 - 16 years old who are trained in the work of the
faculty.
Syllabi
Click here for more
information on Modern Theatre syllabi. |
