Robert Gladstein Papers

Title: Robert Gladstein Papers

Dates: 1922-1988

Collection Number: 003.056

Creator/Collector: Gladstein, Robert

Extent: 5 Boxes. 5.5 linear feet.

Repository: Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Abstract: Robert Gladstein (1943-1992) was a dancer, choreographer, and assistant director at the San Francisco Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, and the Dallas Ballet during the 1950’s-1980’s. After assisting in multiple efforts to rescue San Francisco Ballet from near bankruptcy in 1974, Mr. Gladstein served as the company's Ballet Master from 1975 until 1980, when he became the Ballet’s Assistant Director and Artistic Coordinator. He was also a board member of the San Francisco Archives for the Performing Arts and a member of the dance advisory panel of the National Endowment for the Arts. Over the span of his career, Mr. Gladstein choreographed more than 30 ballets, some of which were televised as special productions on KQED. He also revived the choreography of Lew Christensen and staged many of Mr. Christensen’s ballets for various dance troupes across the country. This collection includes promotion, performance, and critical reviews of Robert Gladstein, especially from his time at the San Francisco Ballet, as well as photography, souvenir books, correspondence, and sheet music.

Language of Material: English

Entire Collection is open for research.

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

[Identification of item]. Robert Gladstein Papers. Collection Number: 003.056. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

The Robert Gladstein Papers were donated to the Museum of Performance + Design in 2003 by Michael and Damara Wallace.

A San Francisco Bay Area native, Robert Gladstein was born in Berkeley, California in 1943. His renowned career with San Francisco Ballet as a dancer, choreographer, and assistant director spanned several decades from the 1950’s - 1980’s. His career also included working with the American Ballet Theatre and the Dallas Ballet. Mr. Gladstein began dancing with San Francisco Ballet as a young boy and made his dance debut at the age of 10 in the role of Drosselmeyer’s nephew in “Nutcracker.” He graduated from the San Francisco Ballet School in 1960 and joined San Francisco Ballet in 1961, where he was promoted to Premier Danseur in 1965. In 1967, he moved to the east coast with his wife, Nancy Robinson, to dance with New York's American Ballet Theatre. In 1970, Mr. Gladstein returned to San Francisco to join San Francisco Ballet as Principal Dancer. After assisting in multiple efforts to rescue San Francisco Ballet from near bankruptcy in 1974, Mr. Gladstein served as the company's Ballet Master from 1975 until 1980, when he became the Ballet’s Assistant Director and Artistic Coordinator. From 1981-1986, Mr. Gladstein was a board member of the San Francisco Archives for the Performing Arts and was a member of the dance advisory panel of the National Endowment for the Arts. His career also included working with the Dallas Ballet as Ballet Master, a position in which he served from 1986-1988. Over the span of his career, Mr. Gladstein choreographed more than 30 ballets, some of which were televised as special productions on KQED. He also revived the choreography of Lew Christensen and staged many of Mr. Christensen’s ballets for various dance troupes across the country. After struggling with a long-term illness, Mr. Gladstein passed away in 1992 at his home in San Francisco at the age of 49. His companion was Bart Rawlinson. Robert Gladstein is survived by his son, Marcus Gladstein of Los Angeles; his mother, Wilda Gladstein of Novato, Calif., and his sister, Sally Gladstein of Roseville, Calif.

Materials within these papers document the career of Robert Gladstein from 1953-1988. They focus primarily on his choreographic works for San Francisco Ballet from 1974-1985. Promotion, performance, and critical reviews of these works are well-documented in press releases, news articles, and programs. These papers also document his three-year careers each with the American Ballet Theatre and the Dallas Ballet. A visual record of Mr. Gladstein’s career both as a dancer and a choreographer are available in the form of photographic files and souvenir books. Miscellaneous correspondence documents the enduring support of ballet spectators, fellow directors and choreographers, and performers of his choreographic works. This collection also includes the sheet music for Mr. Gladstein’s choreographic works.