Ted Shawn
Actor
About Ted Shawn
Ted Shawn, born Edwin Myers Shawn, was a pioneering American dancer and choreographer who revolutionized modern dance in the early 20th century. Originally planning to become a minister, Shawn turned to dance after recovering from diphtheria that temporarily paralyzed him. He met Ruth St. Denis in 1914 and they formed both a personal and professional partnership, founding the influential Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts in 1915. Their company toured extensively and trained many future dance legends including Martha Graham, Charles Weidman, and Doris Humphrey. While primarily known for his contributions to dance, Shawn appeared in several silent films during 1919-1920, including 'Don't Change Your Husband,' where his dance expertise was showcased. After separating from St. Denis in 1931, Shawn founded his own all-male dance company at Jacob's Pillow farm in Massachusetts, challenging gender norms in dance and establishing what would become the world-renowned Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. He continued performing and teaching well into his 70s, becoming one of the most influential figures in American dance history until his death in 1972.
The Craft
On Screen
Shawn's film performances were characterized by his exceptional dance technique and expressive movement. Rather than traditional acting, he used his body as an instrument of emotional expression, bringing the physicality and grace of dance to the silent screen. His performances emphasized fluid movement, dramatic gestures, and the theatrical presentation style he developed for the stage.
Milestones
- Co-founded Denishawn School of Dancing with Ruth St. Denis (1915)
- Pioneered modern dance as a legitimate American art form
- Founded first all-male professional dance company in America (1933)
- Established Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival (1940s)
- Appeared in silent films showcasing dance (1919-1920)
- Trained generations of influential dancers including Martha Graham
- Authored several books on dance theory and technique
- Received Capezio Dance Award (1968) for lifetime achievement
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Capezio Dance Award (1968)
- Dance Magazine Award (1965)
- National Museum of Dance Hall of Fame (inducted 1987)
Special Recognition
- Honorary Doctorate from University of Denver
- Named one of America's 100 Greatest Choreographers
- Jacob's Pillow named National Historic Landmark
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Ted Shawn fundamentally transformed American dance by elevating it from entertainment to high art. His Denishawn School became the first major American institution for professional dance training, establishing a distinctly American approach to modern dance that broke away from European ballet traditions. His formation of an all-male dance company challenged gender stereotypes in the arts and helped legitimize men in concert dance. The Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival he founded remains one of the world's most prestigious dance venues, influencing generations of dancers and choreographers. Shawn's work helped establish modern dance as a respected art form in America, paving the way for countless future artists and contributing to the cultural landscape of 20th-century performing arts.
Lasting Legacy
Ted Shawn's legacy endures through the continued operation of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, which has become an international center for dance preservation, education, and performance. His teaching methods and dance techniques continue to influence modern dance education worldwide. Many of his students went on to become foundational figures in American modern dance, creating a ripple effect that shaped the art form for decades. His writings on dance theory remain important historical documents, and his advocacy for dance as a serious artistic discipline helped establish the infrastructure for dance as an academic field. The all-male dance company he founded challenged perceptions of masculinity in the arts and opened doors for future generations of male dancers.
Who They Inspired
Shawn's influence extends far beyond his direct students; his pedagogical approach revolutionized dance training by combining technical precision with emotional expression. He influenced the development of modern dance as a distinctly American art form, separate from European traditions. His work in film helped bridge the gap between concert dance and popular entertainment, showing how dance could enhance cinematic storytelling. His openness about his sexuality and his formation of an all-male dance company challenged social norms and expanded possibilities for gender expression in the arts. The festival he founded continues to influence dance programming and preservation efforts worldwide.
Off Screen
Ted Shawn married Ruth St. Denis in 1914, forming both a personal and professional partnership that lasted 17 years. They had one son together, Theodore Shawn Jr. After their separation in 1931, Shawn entered into a long-term relationship with Barton Mumaw, who became his principal dancer and muse. Shawn was open about his relationships with men during a time when such openness was rare, challenging social norms of his era. He purchased a farm in the Berkshires in 1931, which he transformed into the dance center Jacob's Pillow, and lived there for the remainder of his life.
Education
University of Denver (attended, did not graduate); studied theology before turning to dance; trained with various dance teachers in New York City
Family
- Ruth St. Denis (1914-1931)
Did You Know?
- Overcame temporary paralysis from diphtheria through dance therapy
- Originally studied to become a minister before choosing dance as his career
- His real name was Edwin Myers Shawn but he changed it to Ted Shawn professionally
- Jacob's Pillow was named after the rock formations on his property that resembled pillows
- His all-male dance company was controversial but groundbreaking in the 1930s
- He continued performing well into his 70s, dancing into his eighth decade
- His marriage to Ruth St. Denis was both personal and professional, lasting 17 years
- He authored over 10 books on dance theory and technique
- His students included many of the most important figures in American modern dance
- He was one of the first to establish dance as a legitimate academic subject in America
In Their Own Words
Dance is the hidden language of the soul.
The body is the instrument of the soul, and dance is its music.
Movement never lies. It is a barometer telling the state of the soul's weather.
To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ted Shawn?
Ted Shawn was a pioneering American dancer, choreographer, and dance educator who co-founded the Denishawn School of Dancing and established Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. While primarily known for revolutionizing modern dance, he also appeared in several silent films including 'Don't Change Your Husband' (1919).
What films is Ted Shawn best known for?
Though his primary legacy is in dance, Shawn appeared in silent films including 'Don't Change Your Husband' (1919), 'The Song of the Soul' (1920), and 'The Love Flower' (1920), where his dance expertise was showcased.
When was Ted Shawn born and when did he die?
Ted Shawn was born Edwin Myers Shawn on October 21, 1891, in Kansas City, Missouri, and died on January 9, 1972, at his home at Jacob's Pillow in Becket, Massachusetts.
What awards did Ted Shawn win?
Shawn received the Capezio Dance Award in 1968, the Dance Magazine Award in 1965, and was posthumously inducted into the National Museum of Dance Hall of Fame in 1987. He also received honorary doctorates and numerous other honors for his contributions to dance.
What was Ted Shawn's dance style?
Shawn developed a distinctive American modern dance style that combined technical precision with emotional expressiveness, breaking away from European ballet traditions. His approach emphasized the body as an instrument of artistic expression and incorporated elements from various dance forms.
What is Jacob's Pillow?
Jacob's Pillow is the world-renowned dance festival and school founded by Ted Shawn at his Massachusetts farm in the 1940s. It has become one of the most prestigious dance venues internationally and continues to operate as a center for dance preservation, education, and performance.
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Films
1 film
