Description
Based in Los Angeles, California, the Lewitzky Dance Company was formed in 1966 by Bella Lewitzky and gave its last performance
on May 18, 1997. The archive consists of papers, films, photographs, costumes, programs, posters, stage plots, and sound recordings.
It covers the Company's archived and working papers from all offices, including the Manager, Booking and Production offices.
Background
Bella Lewitzky was born January 13, 1916, in Los Angeles to Russian immigrants. She spent her early childhood in a utopian
socialist community in the Mojave Desert before moving with her family to Los Angeles. In 1934, she joined Lester Horton's
modern dance company. She rapidly ascended the ranks of Horton's company from novice dancer to lead dancer. On June 22, 1940,
she married fellow Horton dancer and architect Newell Reynolds. In 1946, she and Horton founded the Dance Theater of Los Angeles.The Lewitzky Dance Company was founded in 1966 by Bella Lewitzky and produced more than 50 dance productions over its period
of activity. The Company, under the direction of Lewitzky, its Artistic Director, and Larry Attaway, its Music Director, was
known for its intellectual approach to dance with a particular emphasis on kinetic movement in space and the relationship
between different forms of art. The company toured extensively, visiting 43 U.S. states and 20 foreign countries. In 1990,
the Company rejected a $72,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in protest of a line that requires grantees
to promise not to create obscene work. The Company would ultimately receive the grant after Lewitzky sued the agency and had
the clause removed. On May 17, 1997, the Lewitzky Dance Company gave its last performance after 31 years of activity.
Extent
310 Linear Feet
366 boxes
Restrictions
The collection contains published materials; researchers are reminded of the copyright restrictions imposed by publishers
on reusing their articles and parts of books. It is the responsibility of researchers to acquire permission from publishers
when reusing such materials. The copyright to unpublished materials belongs to the heirs of the writers. Permission to publish,
quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Availability
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.