AXIS Dance Company Records, approximately 1987-2020

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Summary

Title:
AXIS Dance Company records
Dates:
approximately 1987-2020
Creators:
AXIS Dance Company and AXIS Dance Company (Oakland, Calif.)
Abstract:
Organizational records and audiovisual recordings of the Axis Dance Company (Oakland, CA), a contemporary dance company and education organization featuring ensembles of dancers with and without physical disabilities. Records date from approximately 1987-2020.
Extent:
54.05 linear feet (35 cartons, 6 flat-boxes, 2 oversize folders), 242 videocassettes (VHS), 1 videocassette (U-matic), 4 videocassettes (Betacam), 6 videocassettes (BetacamSP), 4 videocassettes (DVCAM), 22 videocassettes (Hi8), 84 videocassettes (MiniDV), 33 sound cassettes, and 8 sound cassettes (DAT)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

AXIS Dance Company records, BANC MSS 2006/205, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

Organizational records of the Axis Dance Company (Oakland, CA) including Board of Director, external affairs and governance files. Bulk of material are binders containing collateral/promotional material, release forms, tour schedules, lighting cues, press archives, and other organizational material. Also contains grant and fundraising material, photographs, audience surveys, and audiovisual material. Material dates from approximately 1995-2020.

Biographical / historical:

AXIS Dance Company is a professional physically integrated contemporary dance company and education organization. Founded in 1987 by Thais Mazur, Bonnie Lewkowicz, Judith Smith, and others and based in Oakland, California, the ensemble is among the first contemporary dance organizations to develop choreography integrating dancers with and without physical disabilities. The company creates coreographies for and features performances of dancers with and without physical disabilities. The company's output includes the commissioning of original choreographic works and the establishment and maintenance of an educational program. To date, the company has received nine Isadora Duncan Dance Awards and nine additional nominations.

Acquisition information:
Gift of AXIS Dance Company, 2006; additions, 2022.
Processing information:

2022 additions processed by Jaime Henderson in 2024. Additional processing of audiovisual materials in 2026. Processed at a baseline container level which retains original arrangement. Most original folders have been retained. Much of the collection material is housed in original binders. Audiovisual items are listed at the item level (using titles found on the items themselves).

Physical location:
Many Bancroft Library collections are stored off-site and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Physical description:
Material in the collection are either foldered or are contained in binders. Original folders and binders were retained.
Rules or conventions:
DACS

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Jaime Henderson and Lara Michels
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-04-29 17:56:58 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is partially open for research.

DIGITAL MATERIALS: UNPROCESSED. UNAVAILABLE FOR USE.

AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS: RESTRICTED fragile material. Archival audiovisual materials must be digitized for research access. Researchers may request the creation of digital access copies through Bancroft Public Services.

Terms of access:

Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. For additional information about the University of California, Berkeley Library's permissions policy please see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/permissions-policies

Preferred citation:

AXIS Dance Company records, BANC MSS 2006/205, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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