Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Mumaw, Barton, 1912-
2. Meeker, Jess.
3. Owen, Norton.
4. Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

Description

1. 1 videocassette (VHS, NTSC) (123 min.) : sd., col.; 1/2 in.

Summary

1. The first segment on this tape records a talk by Barton Mumaw in one of the studios at Jacob's Pillow. Mumaw discusses how he decided to become a dancer; his first meeting with Ted Shawn, and how he joined Shawn's company; Denishawn's fame and influence on American views of dance; Shawn's arrival at Jacob's Pillow and how he started teaching at Springfield College; the formation of Ted Shawn and his Men Dancers; the scandal caused by costumes that revealed dancers' bodies. Mumaw speaks to present students about the qualities of Jacob's Pillow and what lessons they should take from it when they enter the dance world. He discusses the difficulties of touring in the 1930s; the influence of World War II on views of male dancing, and the current attitude towards male dancing; his own soon-to-be-published autobiography, and the writings on Denishawn by former dancer Jane Sherman. Answering questions from the audience, Mumaw discusses his early dance training; how his technique differed from that of other dancers in Shawn's company; how the company disbanded; Shawn's views on diverse forms of dance; the popularity of ballet versus modern dance; the Delsarte system of expression and its influence on dance. Throughout the talk Mumaw expresses his personal views on dance and artistic creation.
2. The second segment on the tape records after-dinner speeches by guests at a Jacob's Pillow alumni dinner. Executive director Liz Thompson, associate director Norton Owen, alumni Jess Meeker and Barton Mumaw, and a member of the current board of directors speak about their personal experiences at Jacob's Pillow, its history, and plans for it future development. Sound quality on this segment is very poor. Some speakers are inaudible.

Donor/Sponsor

1. Gift of Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

Subject

1. Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
2. Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers
3. Mumaw, Barton, 1912-
4. Male dancers
5. Dance > Study and teaching
6. Shawn, Ted, 1891-1972
7. Video
8. Delsarte system

Genre/Form

1. Video.

Contents

1. July 18, 1985: Barton Mumaw (87 min.) -- July 20, 1985: alumni dinner speakers (36 min.)

Call number

1. *MGZIA 4-4482

Note

1. Poor sound quality.

Event (note)

1. Videotaped at Jacob's PIllow, Becket, Mass., on July 18 and July 20, 1985.

Title

1. Barton Mumaw [and] alumni dinner speakers [videorecording]

Imprint

1. 1985.

Country of producing entity

1. U.S.

Performer

1. Speakers include Barton Mumaw, Jess Meeker, Liz Thompson, Norton Owen.

Event

1. Videotaped at Jacob's PIllow, Becket, Mass., on July 18 and July 20, 1985.

Added author

1. Mumaw, Barton, 1912- Speaker
2. Meeker, Jess. Speaker
3. Owen, Norton. Speaker
4. Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

Research call number

1. *MGZIA 4-4482