Abstract: After getting her start as an entertainer on the commercial stage, Ruth Saint Denis (1879-1968) would become, beginning in 1906, one of the pioneers of modern American dance, playing a decisive role in bringing about recognition of this new form of expression. By examining several milestones that took place on Saint Denis’ journey, this article aims to shed light on the extent to which the question of morality was key in the process of legitimizing stage dancing in the United States as a form of art.
