Contemporary & Modern

Modern & Contemporary

Modern and contemporary dance includes many competing approaches to body, space and theatre. Early modern pioneers, postmodern experimentation and today’s international companies continually question what dance can be.

History

Duncan and other pioneers challenged nineteenth-century theatrical conventions; Graham and later Cunningham developed influential movement and composition systems. Judson-era experimentation, dance theatre and international contemporary companies further expanded the field.

Key forms

Early modern
Postmodern
Dance theatre
Contemporary

Elements

Weight and breath
Chance and improvisation
Release, partnering and theatrical composition

Masters & companies

Isadora Duncan
Martha Graham
Merce Cunningham
Alvin Ailey
Paul Taylor
Judson Dance Theater
Pina Bausch
William Forsythe
Jiří Kylián
Akram Khan
Hofesh Shechter

Watch Live

No official live dance stream verified for this tradition yet.

Watch Recorded

Jacob's Pillow Interactive

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Marquee TV

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Paid access · checked 2026-10-21

medici.tv

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Sadler's Digital Stage

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

AlvinAileyDance

Official company videos and clips; full performances are not assured. Check the publisher for current viewing availability; no active live broadcast confirmed. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

MarthaGraham

Official company videos and clips; full performances are not assured. Check the publisher for current viewing availability; no active live broadcast confirmed. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

SadlersWells

Official company videos and clips; full performances are not assured. Check the publisher for current viewing availability; no active live broadcast confirmed. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

AkramKhanCompany

Official company videos and clips; full performances are not assured. Check the publisher for current viewing availability; no active live broadcast confirmed. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Modern & Contemporary · YouTube search

Search results, not a verified recording; choose official company or institution uploads.

Learn

Merce Cunningham Trust

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Alvin Ailey

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Dance Place

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation / Company

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Jacob's Pillow

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Jacob's Pillow Interactive

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Paul Taylor

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Trisha Brown

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Pina Foundation

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Public page · checked 2026-10-21

Akram Khan

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Shobana Jeyasingh

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

LINES Ballet

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Attend

Cloud Gate

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Check publisher access · checked 2026-10-21

Alvin Ailey

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Dance Place

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation / Company

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Jacob's Pillow

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Martha Graham

General institution or cultural programme; not a dedicated online dance archive. Check the publisher for current viewing availability; no active live broadcast confirmed. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Paul Taylor

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Trisha Brown

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Danspace Project

Tanztheater Wuppertal

NDT

Akram Khan

Official publisher’s recordings, performances or programmes. · Free and paid options · checked 2026-10-21

Some publishers offer paid access. Public recordings do not grant permission to reuse choreography or ceremonial material.