LaLoie Fuller

Born Marie Louise Fuller in Chicago, Fuller began her theatrical career as a professional child actress and later choreographed and performed dances in burlesque ,vaudeville, and circus shows. An early free dance practitioner, Fuller developed her own natural movement and improvisation techniques. Fuller combined her choreography with silk costumes illuminated by multi-coloured lighting of her own design.

A regular performer at the Folies Bergère with works such as Fire Dance.Fuller held many patents related to stage lighting including chemical compounds for creating color gel and the use of chemical salts for luminescent lighting and garments. She danced across the stage enveloped in yards of swirling, shimmering cloth illuminated by multi-colored spotlights. She attracted the attention of many artists and is considered to be the personification of the Art Nouveau movement.
Fuller, whom enthusiastic Parisians called "La Loie," was the toast of Paris at the end of the nineteenth century.
www.timelapsedance.com Jody Sperling performs her Loie Fuller-inspired "Clair de lune" (from Debussy Soiree) at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, October 2008. Piano: Jeffrey Middleton; Lighting: David Ferri; Costume: Michelle Ferranti.