Brilliant Exile: Isadora Duncan in Paris

Word Dance Theater, in collaboration with The National Portrait Gallery and Villa Albertine, proudly presentedBrilliant Exile: Isadora Duncan in Paris. This sold-out performance premiered on Thursday, December 12 at 7:30 PM EST at La Maison Française – Embassy of France.

Audiences experienced an unforgettable evening featuring dance masterpieces choreographed by Isadora Duncan, vibrantly brought to life by the award-winning Word Dance Theater and the internationally acclaimed Isadora Duncan International Institute. It was an evening of spellbinding and timeless Duncan dances, accompanied live by masterful pianist Carlos César Rodríguez.

About the Dance Performance:
In the early 20th century, many ambitious, unconventional American women—such as Isadora Duncan—made their wayto Paris. These “Brilliant Exiles” challenged prevailing conceptions of female identity and redefined the image of modern womanhood. Themes such as the autonomy and liberation of the female body, female identity and creative expression, art influenced by nature, and the metaphysical in art were central to their work.

Word Dance Theater offered a unique insight into Isadora Duncan’s choreography from this period through an evening of dance, music, and historical commentary. Word Dance Theater was joined by the brilliant Duncan dancers Jeanne Bresciani and Rosemary Cooper of the Isadora Duncan International Institute (www.idii.org) in bringing to life the masterworks of Isadora Duncan.

Pictures and video by: Photo by: Shannon Briane

The Production Team:

Concept: Cynthia Word
Composition: by Frederic Chopin
Choreography: by Isadora Duncan as re-staged by Jeanne Bresciani, Director, The Isadora Duncan International Institute
Light: Olivier Dupeyron
Music: Maestro Carlos Ceasar Rodriguez

The Dancers:

Dancers: Cynthia Word, Jeanne Bresciani, Vanessa Carmichael, Rosemary Cooper, and Jenifer Golden.