Description
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.
Background
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.
Extent
2 boxes (1 linear ft.)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including
copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds
the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold
the copyright.
Availability
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.