Edna Guy

Edna Guy (1907–1982) was an African-American modern dance pioneer. Born in 1907 in Summit, New Jersey, At the age of fifteen she begged her mother to take her to a dance concert in Greenwich Village where she watched Modern Dance pioneer Ruth St. Denis perform the Incense Dance. From that point onwards Guy developed a lifelong relationship with modern dance world, especially in the African- American context.

Early years Guy’s parents lived a meager existence but still encouraged their only child’s interest in dance, funding her training to the best of their ability. After seeing Ruth St. Denis perform, Guy became smitten with her and sent her a note backstage which she signed “Edna Guy, colored girl”. In one letter, St. Denis responded to Guy’s frustrations saying: "Dear Girlie, Yes, I know you have this race problem with you constantly, and a big problem it is. But, you see, dear, you are a very ignorant little girl in relation to the conditions in this big city. Some things cannot be forced or hurried". where she performed five solos including African Plastique, her first piece in which she drew from African themes. on March 7. This show catapulted Katherine Dunham’s company, which at the time included dancer/ choreographer Talley Beatty, into the limelight.

Works by Edna Guy

Madrassi Nautch (1931) Luleta’s Dance (1932) After Gauguin (1932) Gimme Yo Han (1932) Juba (1932) Negro Songs of Protest (co- choreographed with Alison Burroughs; 1937)