Katherine Dunham

Dancer

Birthplace: Joliet, Il   (1910-1960)

Miss Katherine Dunham was born in Joliet, Illinois in 1909.  She became one of the first African Americans to attend the University of Chicago where she earned bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees in anthropology. Katherine completed groundbreaking work on Caribbean and Brazilian dance anthropology as a new academic discipline. 

In 1947, Dunham organized a dance group.  The goup became internationally foamous as it preformed in 60 different countries around the world.  The group however was not so well received in the United States.  During their tours in the U.S. they were forced to stay in cramped rooms instead of nice hotels because the dancers were black

Katherine began one of the most successful dance careers in the American and European theater in 1934, which led to leading roles in musicals, operas and cabarets throughout the world.

In 1967, Miss Dunham joined the faculty of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, where she helped create a performing arts training center and established a dance anthropology program.  In 1969, Miss Dunham created a community-based arts education program in East St. Louis, called the Katherine Dunham Centers for the Arts and Humanities. 

In 1979, Katherine Dunham was presented with the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Music Award at Carneigie Hall in New York. 

In December of 1983, Dunham received the highest  award for preforming artist _- The Kenedy Center Honor Award, and in 196 she received the Scipps American Dance Festival Award.

Dunham used the language of dance to teach people about themselves and others. Many of her dances are still being preformed today.  She was the pioneer of Black Dance and choreography.

Her dance Company preformed in such well known musiicals as Cabin in the Sky and Stormy weather.

Buy Cabin in the Sky on DVD

Buy Stormy Weather on DVD