Humphrey (1895-1958) is renowned for her groundbreaking choreography and her innate sense of musical ability and form. She began her career early, opening her own dance school in Chicago in 1913 at the age of 18. In 1917, she joined the Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts in California. Denishawn, the dynamic duo of Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn, recognized Humphrey’s talents and she became one of their primary teachers and performers touring with the company throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. It was here she met Charles Weidman who became her partner in dance.

Humphrey and Charles Weidman left the Denishawn School in 1928 and started the Humphrey-Weidman Company in New York City. Humphrey developed a new style of dance around the principles she called “fall and recovery,” utilizing the body’s potential to travel between the polarities of balance and imbalance. She elevated dance to a theater art believing in its power to communicate and her need to express the human condition with all its complexity and range of thought. Her work also reflected current events and concerns, capturing the American spirit.

Jose Limón’s apprenticeship with Humphrey-Weidman lasted over 10 years, during which time he was increasingly featured in their concert work. He left the Humphrey/Weidman Group in 1940 to start his own dance company and in 1945 invited his mentor, Doris Humphrey, to become the artistic director of the Limón Dance Company. While serving in this capacity with Limón, Humphrey choreographed the masterpieces “Day on Earth,” “Night Spell,” and “Ruins and Visions.” Her various works reflect her mastery of the intricacies of large groups and emphasis in dynamic phrasing. Humphrey’s book, The Art of Making Dances, in which she shared her observations and theories on dance and composition, was published after her death and is still used as a guide for all choreographers.