Research Catalog

Five Evenings with American Dance Pioneers : May O'Donnell with Ray Green

Title
Five Evenings with American Dance Pioneers : May O'Donnell with Ray Green, Fourth Evening.
Publication
1983.

Available Online

NYPL Digital Collections

Details

Additional Authors
  • O'Donnell, May, 1906-2004
  • Green, Ray, 1908-1997
  • Hess, Susan
  • Powell, Alan
Description
1 streaming video file (63 min.) : sound, color.
Summary
May O'Donnell discusses her early impressions of dance and her childhood in California; early 1930's modern dance scene in New York City; studying with Mary Wigman and Martha Graham; Graham sending her to Gertrude Shurr's class to prepare her for joining the Martha Graham Dance Company; her search for basics in the works, Primitive Mysteries, Primitive Canticles, and Ceremonials; touring with Graham in her first tour of 1937, and continuing to dance with Graham for 6 years; 1930's social scene and political aspects; how Bennington Dance Program was the beginning of modern dance in the U.S.; meeting Ray Green in San Francisco; her first dance, Of Pioneer Women, with Ray Green's score; O'Donnell and Green starting their first dance studio in San Francisco; she talks about early dance concerts with Ray Green's music; meeting José Limón and working with him for two years on tours up and down the California coast; creation of O'Donnell's work, Suspension; returning to NYC after the attack on Pearl Harbor; being asked to dance in Graham's company with more featured dramatic roles including the pioneer woman in Appalacian Spring; leaving Graham company in the early 1950's; having great dancers in her own company including Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino; how the 1950's were a fullfilling time for her; and Susan Hess concludes the talk with brief comments.
Series Statement
Susan Hess Modern Dance Lecture Series Video Archive
Uniform Title
Susan Hess Modern Dance Lecture Series Video Archive.
Alternative Title
Recollections and Rare Films
Subject
  • O'Donnell, May, 1906-2004
  • Green, Ray, 1908-1997
  • Graham, Martha
  • Limón, José
  • Bennington School of Dance (Bennington, Vt.)
  • Martha Graham Dance Company
  • Suspension (Choreographic work : O'Donnell)
  • Modern dance > United States
  • Dance > History > 20th century
  • Dance teachers > United States
  • Music and dance
  • Dance > Study and teaching (Higher) > United States
Genre/Form
  • Dance.
  • Video.
  • Filmed dance.
  • Interviews.
  • Nonfiction films.
Note
  • Title from original video cassette label.
  • Suspension film is not shown on this video.
Access (note)
  • Patrons can access streaming video files online only onsite at the Library for the Performing Arts.
Credits (note)
  • Videographer, Alan Powell.
Source (note)
  • Susan Hess;
Call Number
*MGZIDF 1464
OCLC
885378500
Title
Five Evenings with American Dance Pioneers : May O'Donnell with Ray Green, Fourth Evening.
Production
1983.
Country of Producing Entity
U.S.
Type of Content
two-dimensional moving image
Type of Medium
computer
video
Type of Carrier
online resource
Series
Susan Hess Modern Dance Lecture Series Video Archive
Susan Hess Modern Dance Lecture Series Video Archive.
Original Version
Original format: 1 videocassette (U-matic) ; 3/4 in.
Restricted Access
Patrons can access streaming video files online only onsite at the Library for the Performing Arts.
Credits
Videographer, Alan Powell.
Performer
Speakers, May O'Donnell and Ray Green.
Event
Videotaped during talk at Hess studio in Philadelphia, Pa. 1983 May 20.
Source
Gift; Susan Hess; 2010.
Connect to:
NYPL Digital Collections
Added Author
O'Donnell, May, 1906-2004, speaker.
Green, Ray, 1908-1997, speaker.
Hess, Susan, speaker.
Powell, Alan, videographer.
Hess, Susan, donor.
Research Call Number
*MGZIDF 1464
View in Legacy Catalog