Ted Shawn (1891-1972), well known for his pioneering efforts in American modern dance, began dancing as a means of physical therapy. In his third year of studying for the ministry at the University of Denver, he contracted a case of diphtheria, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. While he was nursing himself back to health, he realized that dancing would become his lifetime career.

Shawn's first teacher was Hazel Wallack in Denver, with whom he studied ballet and ballroom exhibition dancing. At the same time he worked independently and began to perform his own choreographic works. In 1912 Shawn moved to Los Angeles, where he established a school and small performing company. The following year he and his dancing partner, Norma Gould, embarked with their company of Interpretive Dancers upon a cross-country tour and reached New York after nineteen performances.

While in New York Shawn arranged his first meeting with Ruth St. Denis. He had seen her perform in Denver and was convinced that they should work together. During their first meeting they discussed their artistic ideas and ambitions, and Shawn returned the next day to demonstrate his dancing. He was then hired by Miss St. Denis' brother and manager to be her partner. On April 13, 1914, Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn began a tour of the southern United States. In August of the same year they were married.

In 1915 they founded the first Denishawn school in Los Angeles with the intent of providing students with a diversified dance education. They believed that a dancer should learn all styles of dance rather than concentrating on one form; therefore, they offered classes in ballet, modern, ethnic, and creative dance. Within a few years Shawn and Miss St. Denis had established Denishawn schools throughout the United States. They built up an extensive repertory of spiritual, ethnic, character, and “music visualization” dances, which they performed with their company of Denishawn Dancers on tours of the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Far East from 1915-1932. Some of their dancers, including Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, later went on to develop the field of modern dance. In 1932 Denishawn disbanded, and Shawn and Miss St. Denis pursued separate careers.

Shawn established a company of all male dancers in an effort to prove that dancing was an acceptable art form for men. They rehearsed, choreographed, and trained at Jacob's Pillow, Shawn's farm in Lee, Massachusetts, and performed throughout the United States from 1933 to 1940. Shawn continued to perform, generally as a solo artist, until 1962, but after 1940 his efforts became more concentrated upon dance in education. He established the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and University of the Dance which, by combining daily classes and evening performances, became the first intensive summer dance program in the United States. Shawn's primary aim again was to provide students with a well-rounded dance background, which he achieved by inviting performers and instructors from all over the world.

In addition to his work at Jacob's Pillow, Shawn lectured at universities and other institutions throughout the United States. During his lifetime he also published nine books, including: (1920), (1926), (1929), (1935), (1940), (1944), (1954), (1959), and (with Gray Poole, 1960).

Shawn continued to direct Jacob's Pillow every summer and also pursue his career as a scholarly speaker and writer until his death in 1972.

Barton Mumaw, born August 20, 1912 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania but raised in Eustis, Florida, started dance training in his hometown, taking part in infrequently offered ballet and modern dance classes, as well as dance correspondence classes through the mail. After seeing the Denishawn troup perform during a Florida tour, he went to New York to take the 1930 summer course at the Denishawn School. After New York, he returned to Orlando, Florida to study music at the Rollins College. In 1931, Mumaw left rollins to become Ted Shawn's chauffer and dresser, and a member of Denishawn, in exchange for tuition, board, and meals. When Denishawn disbanded in 1932, Mumaw followed Shawn to Becket, Massachusetts, to the farm later called Jacob's Pillow. Their relationship was as fellow dancers, choreographers, lovers, and companions. In 1933, Shawn put together an all-male touring group called Ted Shawn's Men Dancers. Mumaw created many leading roles in the company as for seven years, the troup travelled across the United States and Canada. Mumaw not only danced in Shawn's choreographies, but also created many of his own. With the approach of World War II, Ted Shawn's Men Dancers was disbanded and Mumaw launched a solo recital tour, which continued even in the armed forces where he served as an Entertainment Specialist from 1942-1946. Mumaw worked from 1948-1958 in the world of musical theater, performing on Broadway and in touring musicals such as and Mumaw's connection with Ted Shawn and Jacob's Pillow continued as he performed and taught at the summer dance camp. In 1973, Mumaw recontructed Shawn's for the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Working with the former Denishawn dancer, Jane Sherman, Mumaw published his biography, entitled In 1991, he coached revivals for a Shawn centennial program know as Jacob's Pillow's Men Dancers, performed at New York City's Joyce Theater and toured nationally. He died in Clearwater, Florida June 18, 2001.