Research Paper on Choreography and Columbian Exposition

Introduction

Typically, a choreographer can assist in explaining things conceived in the mind of persons through the use of their body motions as well as gestures. In the current world, choreography has advanced in that it can combine dialogue and contemporary dance in explaining a recent or past story (Sumners). Therefore, choreography can be used as a medium for telling important stories. This paper will attempt to explain how choreography is an effective means of understanding the 1893 Columbian exposition.

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The Story

One must understand the story of the devil in the white city to determine the connection between the choreography and the 1893 Columbian exposition. The story of the devil in the white city occurs towards the end of the nineteenth century, and it associates with the 1893 world's fair in Chicago (Skane). The author uses two main characters in the book to illustrate American life before the twentieth century. H.H. Holmes is the devil in the story. The writer puts together the story of the serial killer and the World's Fair. Nonetheless, the writer tries to create a non-fiction story that sounds like works of fiction with the association of Daniel H. Burnham as the fair's chief architect and Holmes as the notorious serial killer (Skane).

The story starts in 1890 with the American self-worth to doubt. A huge world fair had been suggested to celebrate four hundred years after Columbus landed in America (Skane). The plan attracted no attention till when Paris held a successful world fair a year before. Hence, America had to carry a festival that would outdo the one held in France. Votes were cast, and Chicago won the election.

The primary job of planning the fair was awarded to Root and Burnham; the two were the most prominent architects in Chicago (Skane). Root was best in plans and drawings while Burnham was good at business affairs. The two proved to be a solution for building tall and heavy buildings in Chicago. Burnham and Root were given only two years to complete the fair because most of the time had been lost while trying to determine the best location of the show. While the fair was being erected, Holmes was busy designing his masterwork a few blocks away. Using his architectural plans, he developed a death castle and called it The World's Fair Hotel (Skane). The structure had windowless accommodations and gas lines linked into bedchambers, secret surgical rooms and hidden chutes for transporting dead bodies (Skane).

Holmes was not only convincing but handsome; this lured a majority of young ladies who came to the city solely; however, most of them never made it home. It was until after the fair that people realized the number of people that vanished during the festival (Skane). Historically, the Chicago World Fair has been known for bringing forth significant contributions that have endured the test of time, for instance, Pabst Beer, Cracker Jacks, Shredded Wheat, and Edison's incandescent light bulbs. However, the Ferris wheel was the outstanding feature in the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Below are the images from the world's fair in Chicago ( Alvarez).

"The White City" Dance by Melissa Thodos

Thodos Dance Chicago is an example of how choreography is an effective means of understanding the 1893 Columbia exposition. The "white city" dance is based on Erik Larson's "The Devil in the White City" book (Sumners). It is a fifty-minute ballet that provides the historical account of the architect who was behind the World's Fair as well as the serial killer who surprised Chicago when his crimes were discovered following the closure of the exposition ( Alvarez).

The ballet begins with a series of vignettes that combine joyful energy, romance, and optimism linked with the construction of the Fair plus the violence, madness, and isolation of the period. One can see the architects who built the Fair quarreling around the table in John Root's studio. The high point of the ballet is when one dancer assumes the role of H.H. Holmes. The dancer appears to lure a young woman erotically, but suddenly the scenarios into a mouse game with tragic consequences; the scene represents Holmes, who attracted young women to the hotel of horrors, where he killed them ( Alvarez).

The " white city" story ballet was named the best dance in 2011 by the Chicago Sun-Times (Chicagoland Musical Theatre). The story ballet is a collaboration between Melissa Thodos and Ann Reinking, and it features twelve dancers. Melissa Thodos is the founder of the dance group; hence the name Thodos Dance Chicago (TDC). In the past, Thodos was frustrated due to the lack of opportunities for dancers to join a dance profession. She wished for a dance profession that would not only perform but educate.

Thodos launched a dance company with a unique mission based on her original ideas of creating, performing and educating. Today, the company is well known for teaching, playing and creating dance in Chicago. Additionally, the company has delivered on six contents around the world, and in twenty-seven states across the US (Chicagoland Musical Theatre). The company's unique mission of inspiring expression through dance performance, dance education, and dance creation have made it innovative; thus it has established its presence in the American contemporary dance.

Nevertheless, the company is an association of fourteen versatile dance artists with a unique style that utilizes numerous dance forms. Apart from performing works by Thodos, the company performs tasks designed by guests or other prominent choreographers. Many guest choreographers from the national dance setting have worked with the company, for instance, Kevin Lega Jeff, Ahmad Simmons, Robyn Mineko Williams, Shapiro & Smith and Ann Reinking amongst others (Chicagoland Musical Theatre). Also, the dancers in the company are granted with the opportunity to design their works through the company's annual new dances initiative. Further, the dancers offer a full roster of dance classes for children and adults for a year at the company's rehearsal home in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

The "white city" dance enables one to understand some of the characters in Erik Larson's book, for instance, H.H. Holmes. In the story ballet, one of the dancers appears to spot a young woman thoughtfully watching the couples' beautiful twirling and whirling under the fireworks. But in the course of their duet, the male dancer changes into assailant and grabs the young woman by the ponytail. She drags the female dancer in that her dagger-like pointed feet pedal in the air. This scene communicates the character of Holmes, who used to lure young females and later killed them. The images below show the Melissa Thodos dance on the "white city."

The above picture is about the planning of the white city. During the 1893 Columbian exposition, most of the buildings were painted white. More so, it is evident that the dancers are around the table; this communicates the planning of the architecture probably in a John Root's studio.

The above picture illustrates the Auditorium Theatre. The "white city" dance begins with a video about the Auditorium Theatre; the theatre played a critical role in hosting the Columbian exposition. Besides, it contributed the modern Chicago. Leaders from Chicago contested with those in Washington, New York City and St. Louis to host the fair. The fair in Chicago meant that the state would be a reliable destination for commerce and travel. The opening of the Auditorium created the impression that the Congress believed that Chicago had the capital, manpower, and vision to produce a world-class fair.

This picture shows dancers on the stage with an image of an ancient building in the background. The picture is a symbol of individuals enjoying the world's fair. The building is a form of neoclassical architecture, and it is white; this illustrates the architecture in the Columbian expedition.

How The Devil in the White City Book, News Articles and Melissa Thodos Provide a Comprehensive Understanding of the Importance of Chicago History Through Choreography

The 1893 Chicago exposition is an essential part in the American history, whose influence is felt to the present day (Library of Congress). Typically, history is associated with the study of past events, and this can be best preserved through the archives. Hence, the news articles play an essential in keeping the right information. For instance, in the Chicago tribunes, one can see the images of the world's fair and pictures are known to create a mental picture of certain things. Therefore, through the photos, one can have an idea of what was happening in the Chicago exposition.

On the other hand, The Devil in the White City gives an account of the events that took place during the exposition. Also, the book has images to show the numerous architects that existed at the time. It is evident that the exhibition led to the construction of more than two hundred buildings featuring neoclassical architecture with people and culture from around forty-six countries. Moreover, the event attracted more than twenty-seven million people in six months only. It is believed that one in every four Americans at the time, was able to attend the event.

However, Melissa Thodos provides a platform that sums up the crucial things that happened in the Chicago exposition. Thodos could not achieve the success of the story bullet without choreography. It is through the choreography that the audience can connect with the story. The Thodos dance takes place in an auditorium theater that opens the door to the Chicago history. More so, there are images of the white city and some background of the typical ancient buildings in Chicago. Therefore, the dance provides a comprehensive understanding of Chicago history.

Conclusion

In most cases, story ballets help a person to understand a specific narrative. Choreography plays an essential role in a story ballet in that the characters must rehearse well to make sure that the plot is well developed. This might be the reason behind the "white city" dance scooping the award for the best dance in 2011 by Chicago- Sun-Times. Thodos Dance Chicago is a perfect example of how choreography can turn out to be an effective means of understanding the 1893 Columbian exposition as discussed earlier.

The course has impacted my view of the city of Chicago through the lens of dance in that it has deepened my knowledge about Chicago. For instance, I have discovered that the auditorium theatre played a critical role in the history of Chicago. In the past, I thought that the auditorium is just a modern theatre. Nevertheless, I have discovered that a country's history can be embraced via contemporary dance, for instance, a single act brings into limelight the life of characters and features of one of Chicago's most celebrated events.

Works Cited

Alvarez, Hector Pascual. ""The white city" pleases crowds at auditorium." 1 December 2014. TDC. 12 Novemeber 2018.

Chicagoland Musical Theatre. "Thodos Dance Chicago celebrates 25 years of perform + create + educate at Feb.4 gala." 5 December 2016. Chicagoland Musical Theatre. 13 November 2018.

Library of Congress. "The 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago." n.d. Library of Congress. 13 November 2018.

Skane, Rebecca. "The devil in the white city by Erik Larson book review." 17 August 2013. Seacoast reads. 12 November 2018.

Sumners, Jerry L. "Thodos Dance Chicago: The white city and fosse trilogy." 28 January 2014. Juanita K. Hammons Hall. 13 November 2018.