de Luce (Iris) Papers, 1926-1979

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Summary

Title:
Iris de Luce Papers
Dates:
1926-1979
Creators:
de Luce, Iris
Abstract:
Extent:
2 Boxes. 1 linear foot.
Language:
Preferred citation:

Iris de Luce Papers. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Background

Scope and content:

These papers document the career of concert dancer and choreographer Iris de Luce. They include clippings, programs, and correspondence dating from her period of affiliation with the San Francisco Opera Ballet as a teacher and performer. In addition, the papers encompass examples of de Luce's artwork in the form of ballet sketches and costume designs. Very little information is available in these papers on de Luce's teaching activities in Sausalito or on her studies in Paris with Egorova and Volinine. They focus primarily upon her performances in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Biographical / historical:

Iris de Luce, born in 1903 was a dancer and choreographer in San Francisco. She grew up learning dance from Ruth Griffith and as a student at the Anita Peters Wright School, the Hirsch-Arnold Ballet School, and the Muriel Stuart Ballet Studios in San Francisco and Hollywood where she took over the school in 1928 when Muriel Stuart left to dance in the Chicago Civic Opera Ballet. In 1930, she studied drama with Hedwiga Reicher and Cameron Prudhomme and later appeared in motion pictures with Albertina Raasch’s ballet company. She continued training in Paris with Egorova and Volinine, where she was then chosen by M. Nicola Guerra to perform at the Opera Ballet in Deauville. On her return to San Francisco, she danced with the San Francisco Ballet under the direction of Adolph Bloom. She also performed at the San Francisco Opera’s Ballet in the role of Zobeide in the “Scheherazade.” De Luce also taught ballet at the San Francisco Opera Ballet School and Dominican College from 1937-1943. After her marriage to Frederick Waiss, she directed the Iris de Luce Ballet Studio in Sausalito from 1946-1956 where she taught notables such as Francia Russell, Fiona Fuerstner, Carol Conrad, and Mollie Merrill.

Acquisition information:
These papers were sent over a number of years by Iris de Luce to Russell Hartley while he was director of the Archives for the Performing Arts.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1926-1979
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Entire 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:

Iris de Luce Papers. 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