Doris Humphrey's The Art of Making Dances is perhaps the most important book of its kind ever published. Written just before her death in 1958, it is Miss Humphrey's autobiography in art, a gathering together of her experiences in performance and a lucid and practical source book on choreography.
One of the truly great figures in the dance world -- a pioneer of American modern dance, a great choreographer and teacher whose influences and innovations are apparent everywhere in the field -- Miss Humphrey has given us the first modern book on the art of choreography, and indespensible guide not only for the modern dance but for all stage creations.
The Art of Making Dances presents modern dance as theater. It contains a short history of the dance and various chapters discuss design, dynamics, and rhythm of dance. It includes a check list for composers of dances and an appendix of all the dances composed by Miss Humphrey.