Dance Program’s anniversary honors H’Doubler, Nikolais
When Margaret H’Doubler pioneered the Dance Program 80 years ago — making it the first degree-granting program of its kind in the country — she had much more than tutus and tap shoes in mind. She believed that dance should be studied as both an art and a science, a belief that holds strong in the program’s current curriculum.
“H’Doubler was the person who coined the expression ‘the thinking dancer,’ and it has stuck,” says program alumna and current chair Claudia Melrose. “This doesn’t mean an intellectual dancer, but a knowledgeable dancer at the level of the body and the art form.”
For a dance student in 1926, a typical semester included courses in physical education, science, the humanities and music. Only four actual dance classes were offered in the early years, with more added as dance slowly gained acceptance as an academic discipline at universities nationwide.
Courses became more skill-oriented in the 1940s, when Louise Kloepper, a professional dancer with the legendary Hanya Holm Co., came to UW–Madison to pursue her undergraduate degree. When H’Doubler retired in 1954, Kloepper took over as chair, integrating ballet and frequently inviting guest artists to teach — both of which remain key elements of the program today.
“An in-depth study of dance theory and practice is the focus of the current curriculum,” says professor emerita Mary Alice “Buff” Brennan, whose book, “Margaret H’Doubler: The Legacy of America’s Dance Education Pioneer,” will be released Wednesday, Feb. 28. “Much of H’Doubler’s philosophy still remains and has evolved to complement the role of dance as a contemporary art.”
In honor of H’Doubler and her program’s 80th year, a series of lectures, performances and many other events are taking place throughout the semester. At 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Co. will perform the “Nikolais Dance Theater Concert” at the Wisconsin Union Theater.
Joan Woodbury dancing in Lathrop Hall, 1949.
Photo: courtesy Dance Program
Although not a Dance Program graduate himself, modern dance master Alwin Nikolais has had a significant impact on Wisconsin dancers for nearly 60 years. In 1949, UW dance student Joan Woodbury attended a summer workshop where Nikolais was teaching and went on to join his company after receiving her master’s degree in 1952. Today, her company is the only one licensed to house, perform and tour Nikolais’ complete works, a great honor in the world of modern dance.
“Generations of Nikolais dancers have told me that the Ririe-Woodbury performances of his works are as good as any they have seen,” says Melrose. “That is a real compliment, and it speaks well of Joan’s artistic integrity.”
Many Dance Program alumni followed in Woodbury’s footsteps and joined the Nikolais Dance Co. throughout the years, including Melrose herself. Although Nikolais died in 1993, his legacy is alive and well at UW–Madison, with current students performing his works and attending his summer workshops.
“Nik used to say that dancers from Wisconsin know what they need to know, and they can give the choreographer a lot back because they know how to explore movement,” says Melrose. “That is precious to a choreographer.”
The Ririe-Woodbury Dance Co. will perform “Tent” on Friday, Feb. 23, at the Wisconsin Union Theater as part of the Nikolais Dance Theater Concert.
Photo: Fred Hayes, courtesy Dance Program
Leading up to the retrospective concert, former Nikolais Dance Co. members and other acclaimed dancers and teachers — all UW–Madison alumni — will teach master classes to current students. Two panel discussions will be held in the H’Doubler Performance Space in Lathrop Hall, including “Great Connections in the Lathrop Legacy: H’Doubler, Holm, Nikolais, Kloepper,” moderated by Brennan, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22. Former UW students and Holm or Nikolais company members, including Woodbury and Melrose, will discuss their experiences working with these four dance pioneers.
“Kloepper’s professional background brought a new perspective to the study of dance at this university,” says Brennan. “This not only proved compatible with Margaret H’Doubler’s approach but also influenced some students to study and dance with Holm or her student and internationally acclaimed choreographer, Alwin Nikolais.”
The second leg of the anniversary celebration kicks off in April with four days of master classes, lectures, receptions and multiple alumni concerts. The 80th Anniversary Concert, taking place Thursday–Saturday, April 26–28, will showcase works from guest artists Chris Walker and Tania Isaac, a Dance Program alumna who was recently named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch.”
