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McKayle (Donald) Papers
MS.P.023  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
Photographs, programs, production notes, music scores, audio and video recordings, costume designs, reviews, and other printed and graphic materials illustrate the eclectic career of world-renowned choreographer and University of California, Irvine (UCI) Professor of Dance Donald McKayle. Early materials pertain to his youth in Harlem and his performance career in New York City in concert dance, theater, and television. Much of the collection documents McKayle's career as the choreographer of over fifty concert dance pieces between 1948 and 1998 and as a director or choreographer for theatrical productions both off and on Broadway, including Raisin and Sophisticated Ladies. Another significant portion of the collection documents McKayle's tenure at UCI until his death in 2018. The materials illustrate the development of individual choreographic pieces, the evolution of McKayle as an artist, and his career as a dance educator.
Background
A world-renowned choreographer, Donald McKayle began his career in New York City, initially studying dance with the New Dance Group and dancing professionally for noted choreographers such as Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham, Sophie Maslow, and Anna Sokolow. In the 1950's he founded and directed Donald McKayle and Company, creating such landmark works as Games, Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder, and District Storyville between 1951 and 1962. Although originally created for McKayle's own company, these works are now found in the repertories of major modern dance companies such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. McKayle's career took him to and beyond Broadway, where he choreographed Golden Boy, directed and choreographed Raisin, and conceived and choreographed Sophisticated Ladies. He worked in film and television as well, choreographing dance sequences in Bedknobs and Broomsticks and The Minstrel Man and directing the first episodes of the television series Good Times.Note: A more extensive choreology of Donald McKayle's concert dance pieces follows this chronology.Note: The following choreology (a chronology of a choreographer's work) indicates the years of creation and premiere of concert dance pieces. It does not include McKayle's choreography in other genres such as theater and film. Unless otherwise noted, the pieces are ensemble dances.
Extent
27.3 Linear Feet (19 document boxes, 13 record cartons, 1 half letter size document box, 1 shoe box, 6 flat boxes, and 3 oversized folders) and 17.3 unprocessed linear feet
Restrictions
Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by The Donald McKayle Legacy (Lea Vivante and Dennis Nahat). For permissions to publish, please contact The Donald McKayle Legacy (http://www.donaldmckayle.com/).
Availability
The collection is open for research except all audiovisual materials and the unprocessed negatives in box 25 are restricted; please contact UCI Special Collections and Archives for more information at spcoll@uci.edu.