Oakland Ballet Company Publicity Records, 1963-2002

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Summary

Title:
Oakland Ballet Company Publicity Records
Dates:
1963-2002
Creators:
Oakland Ballet Company
Abstract:
Extent:
13 containers. 13 linear feet.
Language:
Preferred citation:

Oakland Ballet Company Publicity Records. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Background

Scope and content:

The Oakland Ballet Company Publicity Records document the operation of the Oakland Ballet Company, from its founding in 1965 under Artistic Director Ronn Guidi to 2002. This collection includes press clippings, numerous production photographs, slides and negatives, programs, correspondence, advertising materials, scrapbooks and other ephemera. All together this collection provides a rich documentation of the Oakland Ballet as it became one of the West Coast’s leading professional dance companies. The large number of programs and press clippings document the company’s numerous performances around the San Francisco Bay Area as well as throughout the US and internationally. Additionally, the extensive collection of photographic materials provides valuable documentation of many past dancers and performances staged by the company throughout the years.

Biographical / historical:

Founded in 1965 under the artistic direction of Oakland native Ronn Guidi, the Oakland Ballet Company [OBC] was created as a reconstitution of the earlier Oakland Civic Ballet (1961-1965) of which Guidi was the Associate Director of the Guild. Guidi took inspiration from the world-famous Ballet Russes company, founded in Paris by Sergei Diaghilev in the early 20th century. The Oakland Ballet Company became the first professional dance company in the US to restage the ballets of Bronislava Nijinska, a well-known dancer and choreographer of the Ballet Russes. Over the past six decades, the company has become one of the leading professional dance companies on the West Coast, staging performances of modern ballet classics by choreographers such as Michel Fokine, Kurt Joos, and Charles Weidman among many others.

Acquisition information:
The items were donated by the Oakland Ballet Company in 2020.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1963-2002
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Reproduction of these materials can occur only if the copying falls within the provisions of the doctrine of fair use. Copyright varies by item.

Preferred citation:

Oakland Ballet Company Publicity Records. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Location of this collection:
2200 Jerrold Avenue
Suite T
San Francisco, CA 94124, US
Contact:
4157413531
info@mpdsf.org
Website