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Finding Aid for the Antony Balcena papers, 1974-2001
625
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Title: Antony Balcena papers
Date (inclusive): 1974-2001
Collection number: 625
Creator:
Balcena, Antony, 1954-1995
Extent:
16 boxes (8 linear ft)
Abstract: Antony Galindo Balcena, a Mexican-American, was born in Lompoc, California in April 30, 1954 and died in Los Angeles, California
in November 23, 1995. Antony Balcena, (also known as Tony Balcena) was an accomplished dancer, choreagrapher and Gay and AIDS
activist. He was known for his unique choreographic style and, through his life, he created and performed intimate and controversial
performances such as "Dudes" and "Shell of Flesh." This collection documents the life and work of Balcena as a choreographer,
dancer, and Gay and AIDS activists.
Language: Finding aid is written in
English.
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department
of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library, Department
of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library,
Department of 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.
Provenance/Source of Acquisition
Gift of Griffin, Michael, 2002.
[Identification of item], Antony Balcena papers (Collection Number 625). Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young
Research Library, UCLA.
Antony Galindo Balcena, a Mexican-American, was born in Lompoc, California in April 30, 1954. Antony Balcena, (also known
as Tony Balcena) was an accomplished dancer, choreagrapher and Gay and AIDS activist.
Balcena started taking classes of dance at the Riverside Ballet Arts Theater, Riverside, California, in the early 1970s. In
1974 he decided to audition at the Juilliard School of Dancing and was accepted, and later earned his B.F.A. in 1977. He continued
his studies and got a M.A. in Dance from UCLA in 1984 and a M.F.A. in Dance from the Arizona State University in 1992.
Balcena began his dancing and choreographic career in New York City where he worked on and off Broadway. Balcena dancing style
was influenced by the work of Daniel Lewis, who taught him the Limon technique. He worked with Daniel Lewis Dance Reportory
Company from 1975 to 1981. Balcena's career covered dancing and bodybuilding. He worked as a professional bodybuilding coach
for many years. From 1983 to 1990, he staged and choreographed several bodybuilding competions (Mr. Olympia, Ms. Olympia,
Mr. America and Mr. Universe).
In the 1980s, Balcena returned to Los Angeles where he worked with Sarah Elgart and Co. (1982) as a dancer and eventually
became Assistant Director. In 1989 and 1990 he participated in the Los Angeles Dance Kaleidoscope presenting several dancing
productions (e.g. "Dudes"). During the 1990s he also choreographed several controversial works about AIDS (e.g. "Shell of
Flesh," "AIDS! The Musical"). He also worked as assistant choreographer for films such as "Earth Girls Are Easy" and "Rented
Lips."
Balcena received several awards and honors during his career. In 1991, he won a choreographic award from the Nuevo L.A. Chicano
Danceworks Festival, and a Award of Merit from the Juilliard School Alumni Association's Los Angeles chapter. He also worked
for several years (1983-1993) as an instructor at Loyola Marymount University, Cal State University San Bernandino, and Plaza
de La Raza, a Mexican cultural arts center. In 1994, he joined the Dance faculty at Arizona State University. He died in November
23, 1995 of complications resulting from AIDS.
Sources:
- ASU Insight, October 21, 1991.
- AIDS! The Musical program brochure, ca. 1991.
- DUDES, Press release, 1989
- OLIO, Sunday, March 28, 1982 Vol. 6. No. 4
- AIDS Wall in Protest, http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/3957/
- The Estate Project for Artist with AIDS, http://www.artistswithaids.org/artforms/dance/catalogue_index.html
- Mike and Tony, documentary by Wm. Grimes, 2001.
Different names used by or used for Balcena:
- Anthony Balcena
- Antony Balcena
- Tony Balcena
- Anthony Galindo Balcena
This collection includes videotapes and audiotapes of Antony Balcena's choreographic work from the 1974 to 1995. It also consists
of publications (novels and newspapers clippings), unpublished materials (theses and typed manuscripts), production materials
(programs, flyers, postcard ads), photographs, and slides relating to the life and work of Antony Balcena. A variety of publicity
materials (flyers, photographs) to promote his choreographic work supplement this collection.
The collection was originally arranged in boxes with books, typed manuscripts, photograohs and video and audiotapes without
any apparent order. The series names were assigned by the processor. The collection was arranged in the following series:
- Publications (Books, Newspapers clippings)
- Unpublished Papers (Typed manuscripts, theses)
- Slides
- Photographs
- Videotapes (VHS, BR20 and BR30 tapes)
- Audiotapes (5" and 7" audiotapes)
- Production Papers (programs, flyers, postcards ads, publicity photographs)
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Balcena, Antony, 1954-1995 --Archives.
Mexican American dancers --United States --Archival resources.
Choreographers --United States --Archival resources.