Margerie Lyon Collection about Ted Shawn and the Dance, 1930-1970

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Summary

Creators:
Lyon, Margerie
Abstract:
Edwin (Ted) Meyers Shawn (1891-1972) was a choreographer, teacher, lecturer, and impresario, as well as a dancer for over sixty years. He made his professional debut in 1913, ballroom dancing with his partner, Norma Gould. He married Ruth St. Denis (1914), and together they founded the Denishawn School of Dancing in 1915. At the school, Shawn choreographed 185 dances and nine major ballets. He danced in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, and was involved in dance entities called Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn and the Denishawn Dancers (1914-31), Ted Shawn and his Men Dancers (1933-40), and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival (1940-72). The collection consists of books, newsletters, photographs, memorabilia, clippings, and programs relating to Ted Shawn, Ruth St. Denis, Barton Mumaw and the dance.
Extent:
2 boxes (1 linear ft.)
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of books, newsletters, photographs, memorabilia, clippings, and programs relating to Ted Shawn, Ruth St. Denis, Barton Mumaw and the dance.

Biographical / historical:

Edwin (Ted) Meyers Shawn was born on October 21, 1891 in Kansas City, Missouri; attended University of Denver; decided to become a dancer after seeing Ruth St. Denis in a vaudeville performance of Egypta; made his professional debut in 1913, ballroom dancing with his partner, Norma Gould; moved to Los Angeles and appeared in the dance movie, Dance of the Ages; married Ruth St. Denis on August 13, 1914; together they founded the Denishawn School of Dancing in 1915, influencing students such as Martha Graham, Charles Weidman, and Doris Humphrey; at the school Shawn choreographed 185 dances and nine major ballets; danced in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; involved in dance entities called Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn and the Denishawn Dancers (1914-31), Ted Shawn and his Men Dancers (1933-40), and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival (1940-72); was a choreographer, teacher, lecturer, and impresario, as well as a dancer for over sixty years; also wrote books, including Fundamentals of a dance education (c. 1937) and Dance we must (1946); died on January 9, 1972 in Orlando, Florida.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Margerie Lyon, 1977.
Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
Website