The Many Moods And Stylings Of Ted Shawn

To speak the names Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn is to speak of the origins of Modern Dance in the United States.  Their Denishawn school and dance troupe are responsible for training the great names in Modern Dance of Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, not to mention Louise Brooks.

They were just your ordinary, every day, average American Couple:

But what most people don't know is that Ted Shawn (1891-1972) was also a master impersonator:

Ted Shawn as Auntie Mame

Ted Shawn as Diana Ross

Ted Shawn as Marlene Dietrich

Ted Shawn as Cher (the Cherokee years)

Ted Shawn as Aimee Semple McPherson

He just loved doing Ross

Ted Shawn as a high fashion model

Ted Shawn as Anna May Wong in Piccadilly

Ted Shawn as the great Mahalia Jackson

Ted Shawn as Swanson in Sunset Blvd.

Ted Shawn as Adam....and Eve

And in what was perhaps his greatest creation -


Ted Shawn as Josephine Baker!

Ted Shawn would like to thank you.