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Bethune Theatredanse records, 1957-2012
2304
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Title: Bethune Theatredanse records
Collection number: 2304
Contributing Institution:
UCLA Library Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
44.8 linear ft.
(17 document boxes, 36 record cartons, and 2 oversize flat boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1957-2012
Abstract: Materials related to the history and operations of the Bethune Theatredanse dance compnay, and its arts education program
Infinite Dreams (formerly known as Dance Outreach), both founded by Zina Bethune. Includes administrative and fundraising
records, clippings, photographs, and audio-visual materials documenting Bethune Theatredanse's multi-media productions as
well as Dance Outreach activities.
Physical Location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special
Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Creator:
Bethune Theatredanse
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special
Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright
and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
COLLECTION CONTAINS AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: Audiovisual materials in this collection will require assessment and possible digitization
for safe access. To review these audiovisual materials, you must notify the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk
in advance of your visit.
Use of electronic format material requires special equipment or further processing may be required for viewing. To review
these materials you must notify the reference desk in advance of your visit.
[Identification of item], Bethune Theatredanse Records (Collection 2304). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young
Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
UCLA Catalog Record ID:
7992937
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Sean Feeley and Ivy Bethune, 2015.
Processed by Kelly Kress.
Zina Bianca Bethune was born in New York City on February 17, 1945, the daughter of Ivy (Vigder) and William Charles Bethune.
She started formal ballet training at George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet at six years old. By the age of 14, Bethune
was dancing with the New York City Ballet while simultaneously working as an actor, appearing in a variety of television series
and movies. Alongside Harvey Keitel, she starred in Martin Scorsese’s first feature film, Who’s That Knocking at My Door,
released in 1967. She also reached a wide audience via her role on the CBS TV series The Nurses from 1962-1965. Bethune continued
her parallel acting and dancing careers the rest of her life, appearing in several television film and Broadway productions
throughout the 1970s-1990s.
Dance became Bethune’s top priority however, and in 1979 she started Zina Bethune and Company, focusing on a traditional ballet
repertoire. She moved to Los Angeles in 1979 and debuted her company as Bethune Ballet. By 1987 the company had evolved into
Bethune Theatredanse, producing original multi-media performances often based on literature or film. Major productions included
Mind’s Eye, Bird of Passage, Cradle of Fire, and Silent Roar.
Bethune endured a number of health problems from a young age, including scoliosis, lymphedema, and hip dysplasia. Determined
to keep dancing, she underwent several surgeries and wore custom orthopedic tights the rest of her life in order to perform.
Motivated by her own experience, she formed Dance Outreach, later known as Infinite Dreams, an arts education program for
disabled children to learn and perform dance. Bethune and her staff taught classes and workshops throughout the Los Angeles
area, and her students toured internationally and performed publicly at arts festivals and other venues, including the White
House in 1989.
Zina Bethune was married to Sean Feeley for 42 years. She died in 2012 in an accident near Griffith Park in Los Angeles, when
she stopped her car to help an injured animal. After her death, Infinite Dreams continued to hold classes and workshops under
the name All-Abilities Dance until ceasing operations in 2015.
Materials related to the history and operations of the Bethune Theatredanse dance company, and its arts education program
Infinite Dreams, formerly known as Dance Outreach, both founded by Zina Bethune. Administrative series includes business records,
promotional and publicity materials, programs, artist files, performance ideas, and participation in area events and festivals.
Also includes some biographical information about founder Zina Bethune. Development and fundraising includes materials related
to grants, benefits, outreach, and Bethune Theatredanse's involvement in the Los Angeles Theatre Center Cooperative. Production
files consist of scripts, budgets, advertising, reviews, and other materials. Clippings document the activities of Zina Bethune,
Bethune Theatredanse, and Dance Outreach. Photographs and audio-visual include Zina Bethune, Bethune Theatredanse dancers
and productions, and Dance Outreach students and activities.
The collection is organized into the following series:
- Series 1. Administrative
- Series 2. Development and Fundraising
- Series 3. Production Files
- Series 4. Clippings
- Series 5. Photographs
- Series 6. Audio-Visual
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bethune, Zina
Dance teachers--Archives.
Dance therapy
Dance--California--Archives.