Research Catalog

Five Evenings with American Dance Pioneers : Daniel Nagrin

Title
Five Evenings with American Dance Pioneers : Daniel Nagrin, Fifth Evening.
Publication
1983.

Available Online

NYPL Digital Collections

Details

Additional Authors
  • Nagrin, Daniel
  • Hess, Susan
  • Powell, Alan
Description
2 streaming video files (83 min.) : sound, color.
Summary
Reel 1 begins with Daniel Nagrin explaining that his talk will be about Helen Tamiris; introduction to the Tamiris film not shown on this video; original writings about modern dance and the pioneers and the absence of Tamiris in these writings; biography of Tamiris and the origins of the Neighboorhood Playhouse and the Met; describing early Tamiris concerts; quotes by John Martin to emphasize her individuality versus her appeal; talks about Group Theatre's use of confining techniques and the unnaturalness of confining techniques; relating social attitudes to Tamiris pieces; creating choreographic works for the WPA; Tamiris and Broadway; introduction to the Tamiris 1959 film; Tamiris' influence as a Jewish American in New York; The strangeness of America to Nagrin because of his upbringing and having parents that didn't speak proper English; the idiosyncratic style of Tamiris; how Nagrin doesn't teach technique in his dance classes; his Stanislavsky acting training and how it liberated him when Tamiris suggested to not separate his dance from his acting; dancing prospects including Dancers Repertory Theatre, Concert Dancers League and the beginning of Lincoln Center. Reel 2 continues with the idea of Lincoln Center Dance Company by Limon, Cunningham, Bettis, Sokolow, and Tamiris which didn't work out; dancers/choreographers influenced by Tamiris including Cliff Keuter, Phoebe Neville, Moody, and Elizabeth Keen; Nagrin talks about himself as a minor artist; Tamiris' lack of vanity; working on Broadway and her integrity; the difficulties with people in the show, Plain & Fancy; Nagrin talks about Tamiris' feelings of exclusion from the pioneers of dance; current performances of her works; her legacy; dance as a means to change the outlook on life; abstract art versus people relationships; and closing comment by Susan Hess.
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
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Dance.
  • Video.
  • Filmed dance.
  • Interviews.
  • Nonfiction films.
Note
  • Title from original video cassette label.
  • Reel 1 (62 min.) ; Reel 2 (21 min.).
Access (note)
  • Patrons can access streaming video files online only onsite at the Library for the Performing Arts.
Credits (note)
  • Project director, Susan Hess ; videographer, Alan Powell.
Source (note)
  • Susan Hess;
Contents
  • Reel 1. Introduction (2 min.) / by Susan Hess -- Evening with Daniel Nagrin [beginning] (ends abruptly) (60 min.).
  • Reel 2. Evening with Daniel Nagrin [conclusion] (18 min.) -- Closing comments (3 min.) / by Susan Hess.
Call Number
*MGZIDF 1467
OCLC
889431362
Title
Five Evenings with American Dance Pioneers : Daniel Nagrin, Fifth 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: 2 videocassettes (U-matic) ; 3/4 in.
Restricted Access
Patrons can access streaming video files online only onsite at the Library for the Performing Arts.
Credits
Project director, Susan Hess ; videographer, Alan Powell.
Performer
Speaker, Daniel Nagrin.
Event
Videotaped during talk at Hess studio in Philadelphia, Pa. 1983 June 10.
Source
Gift; Susan Hess; 2010.
Connect to:
NYPL Digital Collections
Local Subject
Musical comedies. Plain and fancy.
Added Author
Nagrin, Daniel, speaker.
Hess, Susan, speaker.
Hess, Susan, director.
Powell, Alan, videographer.
Hess, Susan, donor.
Research Call Number
*MGZIDF 1467
View in Legacy Catalog