Finding Aid of the Saida Gerrard papers 0341
Finding aid prepared by Robert G. Vaughn
USC Libraries Special Collections
2008
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California, 90089-0189
213-740-5900
specol@usc.edu
Title: Saida Gerrard papers
Collection number: 0341
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
12.0 Linear feet
10 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1930-1980
Abstract: The collection consists of costumes, manuscripts, programs, photographs, and clippings pertaining to choreographer/dancer
Saida Gerrard from the 1930s through the 1970s.
creator:
Gerrard, Saida, 1913-2005
Saida Gerrard was a performer, choreographer, student, and teacher of modern dance. Born in 1913, she grew up in Toronto,
Canada in a family of Russian Jewish immigrants. Her parents were amateur musicians who exposed her to music and dance at
an early age. As a child, she studied music and dance at the Hambourg Conservatory of Music in Toronto and at the Toronto
Conservatory of Music, including Dalcroze Eurythmics with Madeleine Boss Lasserre. She would go on to study dance and perform
with some of the greatest individuals in modern dance, including Vilzak-Scholler, Margaret Craske, Hanya Holm, Louis Horst,
Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, Martha Graham, Fe Alf, Amy Sternberg, and Benjamin Zemach.
In the late 1930s Gerrard moved to New York where she studied on scholarship with Hanya Holm at the Mary Wigman School. From
1943-1948, she studied modern dance techniques with Martha Graham. In 1945, she joined the Charles Weidman Company. During
this time she studied composition with Weidman, Louis Horst, and Doris Humphrey. She was a principal dancer with the Charles
Weidman Company on three national and five East Coast tours. Gerrard performed with Hanya Holm and Weidman for a festival
at the New York City Center. She was also a principal dancer and soloist at festivals in Vermont, Massachusetts and New York.
In addition to her dance performances she served as the Assistant Choreographer and soloist with the New York City Opera in
performances of Aida, Traviata, and Love of Three Oranges. From 1945-1953, she frequently returned to Canada to serve as a
guest artist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Gerrard taught the Graham Technique in New York from 1945 until 1950. From
1950-1953, she taught at the Humphrey-Weidman School.
In 1953, Gerrard moved to Los Angeles with her American pianist husband Aube Tzerko. While in Los Angeles, Gerrard taught
master classes and gave lectures, demonstrations, and workshops at USC, UCLA, the Idyllwild Arts Festival, Los Angeles City
College, the University of Judaism, and Pasadena City College, as well as a variety of other colleges and high schools throughout
Southern California. She also gave performances and lectures on Hebraic dance and modern dance with Jewish themes at many
of the Los Angeles area Jewish temples. From 1953-1960, Gerrard performed with the Saida Gerrard Theater Dance Company for
the Long Beach Symphony, the Idyllwild Arts Festival, Bovard Auditorium at USC Schoenberg Hall at UCLA and at the University
of Judaism in Los Angeles. She choreographed and performed the operas The Consul at USC, Secret of Suzanne at the University
of Judaism, and Hansel and Gretel for three consecutive years at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA.
In 1960, Gerrard began teaching at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. She was the Director of the Saida Gerrard School
of Contemporary Dance, where she taught technique and choreography for adults, children, actors, and singers, from 1957-1970.
From 1960-1964, Gerrard toured the West Coast with her Saida Gerrard Theatre Dance Company and performed twenty-seven concerts
under the management of Columbia Artists. She choreographed and performed with a group of thirty dancers. Her company performed
New Exodus with symphony and choir at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, and at the Shrine Auditorium and
Wilshire-Ebell Theater in Los Angeles. She choreographed Don Giovanni in 1964, for the first season of the Los Angeles Opera,
which was then called the Los Angeles Civic Grand Opera, at the new Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. From 1965-1969, Gerrard continued
to perform and choreograph her works such as Marais and Miranda at the Morgan Theater in Santa Monica; Pimpinone at Royce
Hall, UCLA; and The Bartered Bride at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles. In 1973, she staged two Los Angeles performances,
The Measure Taken by Bertolt Brecht at the Mark Taper Forum and The Golem at the Gindi Auditorium. The following year she
staged sixteen performances as the Director of Dance for Theater Arts Program of Los Angeles. In 1975, Gerrard received a
grant from the California Arts Commission, which she used to stage a performance of Ancestral Memories, music by Aaron Copland,
with the Theater Dance Company at the Gindi Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Gerrard began working in Aspen, Colorado in 1971. She taught, studied, danced, and staged performances there until 1977. She
choreographed contemporary opera and works by Mozart, Stravinsky, and resident composers; attended seminars at the Institute
for the Humanities; and conducted summer workshops for Colorado Mountain College. In 1971, Gerrard became the Director and
teacher of dance and choreography for the Aspen Music School and Opera. She would continue in this position until 1977.
In 1977, Gerrard again focused her work in the Los Angeles area. She taught dance and choreography at the University of Judaism,
where she also served as the Chairwoman of the Modern Dance Department, and at the Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles
from 1977-1980. In 1980, she began teaching dance and choreography at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. She was also
the Founder, Director and Choreographer for the Saida Gerrard Heritage Dance Company, which performed at the Immaculate Heart
College, Temple Judea, University Synagogue, Temple Emmanuel, Stephen Wise Temple, and the Leo Baeck Temple, all of which
are located in Los Angeles. The Heritage Dance Company focused on works related to her Jewish heritage.
Saida Gerrard's commissions included choreographed oratorios for the New York Philharmonic Chorus and the Toronto Peoples
Chorus; Song of Miriam for the Detroit Folk Choir; New Exodus (Di Naye Hagode) for the Chicago Philharmonic Chorus and the
Los Angeles Philharmonic Choir; and a grant from the California Arts Commission to choreograph Ancestral Memories. She performed
as a soloist and principal dancer with the Toronto City Orchestra; Chicago Chamber Orchestra; Detroit Little Symphony Orchestra;
Detroit Folk Choirs; Carnegie Hall and Town Hall Concerts, New York; and the Charles Weidman Theatre Dance Company. Gerrard
served as the Director for the Carousel Dance Theatre for Children and the Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, III, Dance School; the
Saida Gerrard Heritage Dance Company; the Aspen Music School and Opera; and the Modern Dance Department at the University
of Judaism. She was the founder of the Sutro-Syler Dance Studio; the Carousel Theater; and the Heritage Dance Company. Her
performances included Death and Transfiguration (1935); Dance Suite-Songs of Unrest (1935); Sea Shanties (1937), set to music
composed by her husband, Aube Tzerko; and Die Naye Hagodah (1949), choreographed to Max Helfman's choral tone poem.
Saida Gerrard retired from dancing in 1989. Her husband Aube Tzerko passed away in September 1995. While in retirement Gerrard
continued to promote dance and the arts in education. She remained in Los Angeles until her death in 2005.
The first twenty-nine series are arranged alphabetically by dance title; the remaining nine series are arranged by format
and contain materials associated with more than one dance or those not identified with a specific dance.
[Identification of item], Saida Gerrard papers, Collection no. 0341, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern
California
The collection consists of materials created, collected and used by Saida Gerrard during the course of her career as a dancer
and choreographer in Canada and in the United States. They consist of photographs, programs, audio and videotapes, scripts,
notebooks, slides, correspondence, scores, and ephemera-- chiefly organized by name of dance or performance when feasible.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
The collection was donated by Saida Gerrard's niece, Lisa Gerrard, in 2007.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Carousel Dance Theatre for Children. -- Archives
Gerrard, Saida, 1913-2005 -- Archives
Helfman, Max -- Archives
Heritage Dance Company. -- Archives
Holm, Hanya, 1893-1992 -- Archives
Idyllwild Arts Foundation. -- Archives
Tzerko, Aube, 1907-1995 -- Archives
University of Judaism. -- Archives
Weidman, Charles -- Archives
Wigman, Mary, 1886-1973 -- Archives
Zemach, Benjamin -- Archives
Audiotapes
Choreographers--United States--20th century--Archival resources
Choreography--United States--20th century--Archival resources
Clippings
Correspondence
Costumes (character dress)
Dance cards
Dancers--United States--20th century--Archival resources
DVDs
Ephemera
Modern dance--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources
Modern dance--United States--20th century--Archival resources
Noteboooks
Photographs
Programs (documents)
Publications
Scores
Videotapes
Box 1, Folder 1
Ancestral Memories
Box 1, Folder 2
Aria de Capo
Box 1, Folder 3
Art of Benjamin Zemach, The
Box 1, Folder 4-7
Bartered Bride, The
Box 1, Folder 9
Programs 1961
Programs from the Guild Opera Co, Inc. production of "The Bartered Bride" at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA. Dates
of performances are from April 18-May 2, 1961. Choreographed by Said Gerrard. "The Bartered Bride" is an opera in three acts
written by Henry Reese. 5 programs.
Begin the Beginning
Box 1, Folder 10
Bewitched Child, The
Box 1, Folder 11
Country Dance
Box 1, Folder 12
Cradle Song, The
Box 1, Folder 13-15
Death and Transfiguration
Box 1, Folder 16
Programs
Program for "Death and Transfiguration", which was based on a Richard Strauss tone poem. Danced by Said Gerrard while she
was a pupil of Mary Wigman. This event took place on February 14-15 (year unknown) at the Central High School of Commerce
auditorium. 3 programs, 1 original and 2 photocopies.
Fancy Fanny's Judgment Day 1939
Box 1, Folder 17
Programs 1939
Programs for the Carousel Theatre Group performance of "Fancy Fanny's Judgment Day". Direction and choreography by Saida Gerrard.
Presented by the Young Men's Hebrew Association and performed in the Kaufmann Auditorium, New York City, on February 26, 1939.
4 programs, 2 originals and 2 photocopies.
Fantasy 1939 1939
Box 1, Folder 18
House Divided, A
Box 1, Folder 19
Programs 1947
Programs for the Charles Weidman and Company productions of "A House Divided" by Lionel Nowak. Saida Gerrard dances in the
role of the "slave" in both performances. The first program (photocopy) is for the performance which took place in The Ziegfeld
Theatre in New York City on April 27, 1947 for the benefit of "Spanish Refugees In Exile". The date and location of the performance
listed in the second program (original)are not provided. 2 programs, 1 photocopy and 1 original.
Hansel and Gretel 1955
Box 1, Folder 20
Programs 1955
Legend of Queen Sabbath, A
Box 1, Folder 1-28
Photographs
Photographs from the performance of "A Legend of Queen Sabbath". 16 8X10 B/W, 1 5X6.5 B/W, 1 5X6.5 B/W photo card with the
inscription "Happy Holidays", 1 5X6.5 B/W print, 1 3.25X5 photographs taken by Lyn Smith, the University of Judaism company
photographer. All 4 of the smaller images are of the dancer Adria Chalfin. 19 B/W photographs and 1 print by Lyn Smith.
Photographs from the performance of "A Legend of Queen Sabbath". 10 3.75X4.5, 5 5X6.5 B/W, 2 5.75X6.75, 1 8X10, 3 3.75X5 and
2 4.5X6 negatives. All photographs are uncredited and feature a solo Saida Gerrard. 18 B/W photographs and 5 negatives.
Box 1, Folder 29
Programs 1980
Programs for performances of "A Legend of Queen Sabbath" choreographed by Saida Gerrard.
Programs for the dance "A Legend of Queen Sabbath" which was performed April 25, 1980 at Temple Emanuel, Los Angeles. Part
of the Weiss-Evans Memorial Concert. The concert included a performance of "A Legend of Queen Sabbath" performed by the Saida
Gerrard Heritage Dance Company of Los Angeles and choreographed by Saida Gerrard. 4 originals and 1 photocopy. 5 total programs.
Original program for the May 2, 1980 Shabbat evening worship service at the University Synagogue, University of Judaism, Los
Angeles, CA. Service included a performance of "A Legend of Queen Sabbath" performed by the Saida Gerrard Heritage Dance Company
of Los Angeles and choreographed by Saida Gerrard.
Programs for the dance "A Legend of Queen Sabbath" which was performed at Temple Judea, Los Angeles. Date unknown. 1 original
and 7 photocopies. 8 total programs.
14 total programs.
Box 1, Folder 30
Machine, The 1938
Box 1, Folder 31
Melange
Box 1, Folder 33
Box 9
Video
1 mini digital video cassette of "New Exodus" (Di Naye Hagode). Contains the entire dance, images from the Shrine performances,
cast cut-ups, and rehearsals.
1 DVD of "New Exodus" (Di Naye Hagode). Contains the entire dance, images from the Shrine performances, cast cut-ups, and
rehearsals. Running time = 27:13.
2 reels of 1cm film of "New Exodus" (Di Naye Hagode). Contains the entire dance, images from the Shrine performances, cast
cut-ups, and rehearsals.
4 items total.
Box 1, Folder 34-46, Map-case 8, Drawer 2
Photographs
Photographs of performances and rehearsals for "Di Naye Hagodah".
1 11X14 B/W, 6 8X10 B/W and 3 5X7 B/W photographs taken by Bill Isaacks.
6 5X7 color photographs taken by Lyn Smith of the University of Judaism, Los Angeles, CA.
12 5X7 B/W photographs taken by Irene Rosenfield, Venice, CA.
Uncredited photographers. 5 2.75X4.25 color, 18 3X5 color, 23 3.25X4.75 (10 B/W & 13 color), 1 5X7 B/W, 1 8X10 B/W, 33 color
slides. 81 total uncredited photographs.
106 total photographs.
Box 1, Folder 47
Box 1, Folder 48
Programs 1963-1964
2 copies of The Spectator, a program for events held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. June 11, 1963. "The New Exodus"
("Di Naye Hagode") choreographed by Saida Gerrard.
5 programs for "The Spring Song of Our People" concert festival held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on June 11, 1963.
"The New Exodus" ("Di Naye Hagode") choreographed by Saida Gerrard.
Program for "The World of Max Helfman" memorial concert held at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles on March 22, 1964. "The
New Exodus" ("Di Naye Hagode") choral ballet choreographed by Saida Gerrard. She also danced in the role of the "last survivor".
8 total programs.
Box 1, Folder 49
Correspondence
Correspondence from Cantor Samuel Fordis of the School of Fine Arts of the University of Judaism. A letter of thanks. Mention
of payment for personal expenses. Letter is in regard to "The World of Max Helfman" memorial concert in which Saida Gerrard
choreographed and performed in "Di Naye Hagode". 1 typed letter.
Box 2, Folder 1-2
Scores
Scores for "Di Naye Hagode." Music by Max Helfman. Text by I. Feffer. Notes by Pianist Aube Tzerko (Saida Gerrard's husband).
1 spiral bound score with hand written notes by pianist Aube Tzerko.
1 German text for narrator and chorus.
1 handwritten score with parts.
1 copied choral score with handwritten notes.
1 handwritten score with notes for "The Wedding Dance".
1 commercially bound score containing "Di Naye Hagode". From "The World of Max Helfman" in memorium of Max Helfman presented
at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles on March 22, 1964.
1 narration with cues and notes for the Cantor. "Spring Song of Our People" from "The New Haggadah". Adaptation by William
Kozlenko.
1 opening narration.
8 total scores with parts and narration texts.
Box 2, Folder 3-6
Box 2, Folder 7-8
Box 2, Folder 9
Box 2, Folder 11-12
Box 2, Folder 13
Box 8
Box 2, Folder 14
Programs
1 original program for "Rhumba Ballet" danced by Saida Gerrard as part of Van Grona's Dancers ensemble. Performance at The
Boston Opera House. Date unknown.
1 original program for "Rhumba Ballet" danced by Saida Gerrard as part of Van Grona's Dancers ensemble. Performance at the
Lyric Theatre January 27-29. Year unknown.
2 programs total.
Sea Shanties
Box 2, Folder 15, Map-case 8, Drawer 1
Box 2, Folder 16
Box 2, Folder 17
Programs 1935
Programs for the modern dance suite "Songs of Unrest".
2 original and 2 photocopies of a program for "Songs of Unrest". Performed on March 16, 1935 in the Eaton auditorium. Featured
Saida Gerrard in a solo dance.
1 original and 1 photocopy of a program for "Songs of Unrest. Performed on March 25, 1935 in the Sculpture Court of Grange
Park at the Art Gallery of Toronto, Canada. Her dance was preceded by a short talk.
6 total programs.
Box 2, Folder 18-37
Photographs
1 4X5 B/W, 24 8X10 B/W photographs. All 25 are uncredited.
4 3X4.5 B/W photographs. Note: one of the photos is identified as USC while another is identified as New York; however, the
locations appear visually to be the same place. All four are uncredited.
1 8X10 negative. Uncredited.
10 8X10 B/W photographs credited to Bill Isaacks.
6 7X9.5 B/W photographs credited to Kenneth Johnson, New York. 23 8X10 B/W photographs from a solo photoshoot with Saida Gerrard.
2 8X10 B/W proof sheets. 6 strips of negatives, each containing negatives of four photographs.
12 7.5X10 B/W photographs credited to Ruth Lert. Several are from "Death and the Lady", featuring Saida Gerrard with Ben Johnson.
1 5X7 B/W photograph credited to Irene Rosenfeld, Venice, CA.
1 5X7 and 3 8X10 B/W photographs credited to Constantine. From "Death and the Lady". Featuring Saida Gerrard with Ben Johnson.
19 8X10 B/W photographs credited to Harry Drinkwater, Los Angeles, CA. From "Death and the Lady". Featuring Saida Gerrard
with Ben Johnson.
3 uncredited color slides.
117 total items.
Box 2, Folder 38
Box 2, Folder 39
Box 8
They All Want To Get Married
Box 2, Folder 40
Unanswered Question, The
Box 8
Visions and Prophecies
Five scenes: 1. Premonition and Warning 2. Predatory Antagonism (also listed as Predatory Climate of Dessension) 3. Strife
and Destruction (also listed as Dynamic Antagonism) 4. Visions (also listed as Awareness of Need for Harmony) 5. Prophecy
(also listed as Resolution Toward the Future)
Map-case 8, Drawer 1-2
Box 3, Folder 14
Box 3, Folder 15
Map-case 8, Drawer 1
Box 8
Vitebsk Trio
Box 3, Folder 1-13
Box 3, Folder 16, 26
Box 3, Folder 24
Box 3, Folder 18
Box 3, Folder 19-21
Box 3, Folder 22, 23, 25, 27
Box 3, Folder 30
Box 3, Folder 25, 28
Box 3, Folder 30
Box 3, Folder 31-32
Notes
Notes related to specific dances and to dance in general. Handwritten and typed. 21 pages total.
This sub-series also contains auto-biographical notes.
6 pages of handwritten auto-biographical notes on ruled paper.
2 pages of handwritten auto-biographical notes on legal sized ruled paper.
6 pages (2 handwritten and 4 typed) of auto-biographical notes.
2 copies (1 original, 1 photocopy) of typed auto-biographical notes. 4 pages each.
1 transcript of an interview with Saida Gerrard. The interview was conducted by Karen Wickre for the Research Center for the
Federal Theatre Project at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, on February 21, 1978 in Hollywood, CA. 28 total pages.
Transcribed from an auido tape by Rhoda Durkan in October, 1978.
6 total documents. 50 total pages.
71 total pages.
Box 3, Folder 33-38
Box 4, Folder 1-20
Programs 1934-1973
The programs in this sub-series are for events and workshops in which multiple dances were performed, or for which a particular
dance cannot be identified.
Dated materials are from 09/27/34-03/21/62. Some materials are probably from before and after this range, but exact dates
are not provided.
Most are in English, but a few are in Hebrew.
75 total items.
Box 4, Folder 21-26
Box 4, Folder 27-28
Publications 1935-1994
Box 4, Folder 29-30, Box 7
Publications
The Curtain Call, volume 6, number 6, March 1935. The official publication of the Dominion Drama Festival, Toronto, Canada. 1 original, 2
photocopies. 3 total pages.
"The Language of Dance" by Saida Gerrard.
The Jewish Standard, April 19, 1935. 5 photocopies.
Dance Observer, volume 6, number 4, April 1939. Contains an review of a Y.M.H.A. sponsored event of the Carousel Theatre Company's performance
of "Mother Goose on Parade" and "Fancy Fanny's Judgment Day" on February 26, 1939. Original. 1 copy.
"Saida Gerrard Discusses 'The L.A. Problem'", by John Dougherty.
Dance Magazine, March 1963. 5 original copies, 2 pages each. 10 total pages.
The Torch, congressional bulletin of University Synagogue. Volume 36, number 11, May 1980. 1 original, 2 photocopies. 3 total pages.
Box 5, Folder 1-6
Scores 1961-1975
These files contain original and commercial scores:
Commercially produced scores and photocopies. 35 total scores.
"Variations on an Elisabethan Folk Tune". Composed by Richard Grayson, 1961. 2 scores.
Toka #94. Pavana - molto largo. Composed by Kenneth Klaus, March 15, 1975. Presented to Saida Gerrard on March 20, 1975. 2
scores.
4 original scores total.
39 total scores.
Miscellaneous Ephemera
Box 5, Folder 7-9
Teaching materials
This sub-series contains items related to classes, workshops, and seminars taught by Saida Gerrard. Schedule of classes, programs,
flyers, mailers, course packets, library holdings, and lecture notes. 1940-
New York Joint Council United Office and Professional Workers of America, C.I.O., Idyllwild Arts Foundation, University of
Judaism, Aspen Music School, Sutro-Seyler School, UCLA, and USC.
78 items total.
Box 5, Folder 10-15, Box 6
Ephemera 1934-1980
This sub-series contains miscellaneous ephemera.
Written ephemera contains information about Jewish life and rituals, articles written about Saida Gerrard, timetables, dance
analysis, and library holdings. Originals and photocopies. Mostly in English with some materials in Hebrew. 18 items total,
57 pages total.
Visual ephemera contains items such as a 12"X12" needlepoint for the Heritage Dance Co. (1980), a 17X34 drawing on paper (torn)
of Saida Gerrard, signs and desk plates for Saida Gerrard (4), works of art on construction paper (8), 6X24 paper advertisements
for Saida Gerrard & Co. (4), and images of Saida Gerrard cut from photographs for graphic design (3). 20 items total.
This sub-series also contains items related to Saida Gerrard's dance studios. Advertisements, business cards, programs, Credo
and background info. New York Wigman School of the Dance, New York; Studio of the Modern Dance, Toronto, Canada; Gerrard Theatre
Dance Co., Hollywood, CA; Saida Gerrard Heritage Dance Co.; School of American Dance; Sutro-Seyler Studio, Los Angeles, CA;
Studio of Contemporary Dance; Los Angeles, CA; Studio of Creative Dance, Los Angeles, Ca;
90 items total.
Box 5, Folder 16-21
Box 7
Audio tapes
6 reels of 1/4 inch magnetic audio tape:
3 reels contain "He's got the whole world in his hands"; "Pretty little horses"; "God's gonna cut you down"; "Maybe she go";
"Another man done gone"; "Ox driven song".
1 reel contains Francais Quintet Concert.
1 reel contains excerpts from works by the composers Stockhausen, Penderecki, Pousseur, Harry Partch, and Boulez.
1 reel contains "Allison" (1974) by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich. Juilliard Ensemble conducted by Joseph Zwilich. In memorium of Allison
Krause, who was killed at Kent State University, May 4, 1970.
1 audio cassette tape containing an interview with Saida Gerrard for the Federal Theatre Project, February 21, 1978.
2 unmarked audio cassettes.