Research Catalog

Title

Richard Bull Papers, 1926-2003.

Author

Bull, Richard.

Supplementary Content

Finding Aid

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

17 linear ft. (34 boxes)

Summary

Papers documenting the professional life of dancer, teacher, choreographer, and arts administrator Richard Niles Bull, 1964-1998, including his work as teacher and administrator at New York University, the State University of New York at Brockport, and Wesleyan University; his creative work for his companies, the New York Chamber Dance Group, Improvisational Dance Ensemble, and Richard Bull Dance Theatre; and his work as administrator of the Improvisational Arts Ensembles and producer of performances, classes, and workshops at the Warren Street Performanc Loft. Includes correspondence, rehearsal notes and logs, scenarios, programs, lighting plots, audition forms, teaching logs and journals, class lists, syllabi, registration forms, ticket reservation books, financial information, published and unpublished writings, and a small selection of photographs, slides, and personal papers.

Subject

• Bull, Richard
• Novack, Cynthia Jean
• Richard Bull Dance Theatre (Company)
• Improvisational Arts Ensembles, inc
• Improvisational Dance Ensemble
• New York Chamber Dance Group
• Wesleyan University (Middletown, Conn.)
• State University of New York College at Brockport
• Improvisation in dance

Genre/Form

• Correspondence.
• Clippings.

Source (note)

• Katie Bull Prichett

Biography (note)

• Richard Niles Bull, a pioneer in the art of performance improvisation in dance, was born July 3, 1931 in Detroit, Mich. While attending Wayne State University, he supported himself as a jazz pianist and, in 1952, moved to New York City to pursue a musical career. Bull began his dance training with Maxine Munt and Alfred Brooks and later studied with Erick Hawkins, Alwin Nikolais, and Mary Anthony. Bull's interest in performed dance improvisation began while studying and teaching at New York University. His earliest "dance structures" were developed for his New York Chamber Dance Group. From 1970-1978, he was Chair of the Dance Department at the State University of New York, Brockport where he staged events both on campus and in public spaces. Resigning his university position, he returned to New York City to concentrate his work on the Improvisational Arts Ensembles which he co-founded with Cynthia Novack and Peentz Dubble. They also formed the Improvisational Dance Ensemble (later renamed the Richard Bull Dance Theatre) and the Warren Street Performance Loft. The Loft was home to Bull, Novack, and Bull's daughter, Katie, as well as a performance venue. From 1983-1997, Bull directed the Graduate Studies in Movement and Dance at Wesleyan Univeristy. Following the illness and death of his wife and collaborator, Cynthia Novack, in 1996, Bull continued creating work for the junior company of the Richard Bull Dance Theatre. He was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in 1997 and died in New York City on July 4, 1998.

Indexes/Finding Aids (note)

• Finding aid available in repository and on internet.

Call Number

(S) *MGZMD 147

OCLC

156977289

Author

Bull, Richard.

Title

Richard Bull Papers, 1926-2003.

Biography

Richard Niles Bull, a pioneer in the art of performance improvisation in dance, was born July 3, 1931 in Detroit, Mich. While attending Wayne State University, he supported himself as a jazz pianist and, in 1952, moved to New York City to pursue a musical career. Bull began his dance training with Maxine Munt and Alfred Brooks and later studied with Erick Hawkins, Alwin Nikolais, and Mary Anthony. Bull's interest in performed dance improvisation began while studying and teaching at New York University. His earliest "dance structures" were developed for his New York Chamber Dance Group. From 1970-1978, he was Chair of the Dance Department at the State University of New York, Brockport where he staged events both on campus and in public spaces. Resigning his university position, he returned to New York City to concentrate his work on the Improvisational Arts Ensembles which he co-founded with Cynthia Novack and Peentz Dubble. They also formed the Improvisational Dance Ensemble (later renamed the Richard Bull Dance Theatre) and the Warren Street Performance Loft. The Loft was home to Bull, Novack, and Bull's daughter, Katie, as well as a performance venue. From 1983-1997, Bull directed the Graduate Studies in Movement and Dance at Wesleyan Univeristy. Following the illness and death of his wife and collaborator, Cynthia Novack, in 1996, Bull continued creating work for the junior company of the Richard Bull Dance Theatre. He was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in 1997 and died in New York City on July 4, 1998.

Indexes

Finding aid available in repository and on internet.

Local Note

Stored offsite; advance notice recommended.

Source

Katie Bull Prichett Gift

Connect to:

Request Access to Special Collections (Dance Division) material

Finding Aid

Occupation

Choreographers.

Added Author

Bull, Katie. Donor

Research Call Number

(S) *MGZMD 147