U.S. #4698-4701

2012 45¢ Innovative Choreographers

Issue Date: July 28, 2012

City: Los Angeles, CA

Quantity: 25,000,000

Printed By: Banknote Corporation of America for Sennett Security Products

Printing Method: Offset

Perforations: Die Cut 11

Color: multicolored

Choreographer Bob Fosse once said, “The time to sing is when your emotional level is too high to just speak anymore, and the time to dance is when your emotions are just too strong to only sing about how you feel.” The artists featured in the Innovative Choreographers stamps were able to express the strong emotions of many through their novel dance styles.

At the start of the 20th century dancers performed classical ballet, which had well-defined positions and movements. Groundbreaking changes began when Isadora Duncan introduced natural movements, loose-fitting tunics, and bare feet into her dances. Duncan’s dances were inspired by classic Greek artwork.

José Limón looked to classic literature and religion for themes for his dances. His powerful dancers elevated males to a more significant role.

Choreographer and anthropologist Katherine Dunham researched Caribbean religious rituals and developed a style of performance that celebrated the African roots of Black Americans.