Creating an American identity involves self-definition and the ability to shape and display that identity through public acts such as dress, friendships, and dancing. Coming to a personal understanding of American identity also suggests an ability to define others, to decide who “we” are and who “they” are and the privilege or price of being in or out of the “we” circle.

This unit focuses on the choreographies of Martha Graham, Pearl Primus, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar in order to explore the experience of becoming "American". Read more »

• Start
• Primary Sources
• Introduction
• 1.) Martha Graham’s Frontier
• 2.) Pearl Primus’ The Negro Speaks of Rivers
• 3.) Martha Graham’s Steps in the Streets
• 4.) Pearl Primus’ Strange Fruit and Hard Time Blues
• 5.) Jawole Willa Jo Zollar
• 6.) Martha Graham’s American Document
• 7.) Creating Contemporary American Identities through Movement
• 8.) Creating Contemporary American Identities through Movement


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