Research Catalog

[Interviews with Nona Schurman and Deborah Jowitt]

Title: [Interviews with Nona Schurman and Deborah Jowitt] [videorecording] / Dance Conduit/Antidote Films ; directed by Malachi Roth ; produced by Ann Vachon and Jeffrey Levy-Hinte.
Publication: [199-?]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Filter by

2 Items

Item details
Status	Vol/Date	Format	Access	Call Number	Item Location
Request Appointment Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Performing Arts Research Collections to submit a request in person.	Reel 2	Moving image	Use in library	*MGZIA 4-8160 Reel 2	Performing Arts Research Collections - Dance
Request Appointment Available - Can be used on site. Please visit New York Public Library - Performing Arts Research Collections to submit a request in person.	Reel 1	Moving image	Use in library	*MGZIA 4-8160 Reel 1	Performing Arts Research Collections - Dance

Details

Additional Authors

Description

2 videocassettes (VHS, NTSC) (126 min.) : sd., col.; 1/2 in.

Summary

Unedited footage recorded for the documentary Limón: a life beyond words. Nona Schurman, a former dancer with the Humphrey-Weidman Company, and dance critic Deborah Jowitt are interviewed separately.

Donor/Sponsor

Gift of Ann Vachon, Dance Conduit/Antidote Films.

Series Statement

Limón: a life beyond words

Subjects

Genre/Form

Dance.
Interviews.
Video.

Contents

Cassette 1. [Interview with Nona Schurman] (ca. 63 min.) / Nona Schurman discusses her first impressions of José Limón as a teacher of Humphrey-Weidman technique; the contrast between the Humphrey-Weidman and Graham techniques in the early years; her own teaching experience; Limón's participation in the Humphrey-Weidman group's "10th Street menage"; the creation of Limón's Danzas mexicanas at Mills College in 1939, and its editing by Doris Humphrey; the artistic roles of Pauline Lawrence (later Limón's wife); Limón's inability to create comic works, contrasted to Humphrey's Race of life and other works by Martha Graham and Charles Weidman; Schurman's backstage job at the Roxy Theater; the philosophical and political bases of the Humphrey-Weidman Company as demonstrated, for example, by Weidman's Traditions.
Cassette 2. [Interview with Nona Schurman, continued] (ca. 7 min.) / preceded by ca. 5 min. of nature shots. Schurman discusses performing with the U.S.O. during World War II; her loss of contact with Humphrey; dancing in the first revival of Humphrey's Shakers. She sums up Limón's special qualities as a choreographer.
[Interview with Deborah Jowitt] (ca. 51 min.) / recorded in New York City in 1997? Deborah Jowitt discusses her first view of Limón as a performer; dancing in his work Missa brevis as a member of Juilliard Dance Theater; the contrast of his approach and that of her previous teacher, Harriette Ann Gray; her observations of his working relationship with Doris Humphrey, his artistic mentor; the qualities of his choreography, including his creation of a powerful stage persona, his depiction of themes of the outsider and internal conflict, his masterly use of dance to express emotional states, the architectural patterning of his large-scale works, the sense of weightiness in his works. She also discusses the question of whether his works retain their appeal to present-day audiences; female roles in his choreography; the enduring qualities of his choreography; the teaching of Weidman and Gray; the German roots of American modern dance; American dominance of modern dance between World War II and the 1960s; Limón's distinguished and exotic physical appearance. The discussion touches upon many of Limón's works, including The Emperor Jones, The apostate, La Malinche, The winged, A choreographic offering, Carlota, The moor's pavane, and others.

Call Number

*MGZIA 4-8160

OCLC

NYPY05-F10115

Title

[Interviews with Nona Schurman and Deborah Jowitt] [videorecording] / Dance Conduit/Antidote Films ; directed by Malachi Roth ; produced by Ann Vachon and Jeffrey Levy-Hinte.

Imprint

[199-?]

Country of Producing Entity

U.S.

Series

Limón: a life beyond words

Performer

Interviewer: Ann Vachon.

Local Subject

Modern dance -- Technique -- Humphrey.

Added Author

Schurman, Nona. Interviewee

Jowitt, Deborah, interviewee.

Vachon, Ann. Interviewer. Producer

Roth, Malachi. Director

Levy-Hinte, Jeff. Producer

Dance Conduit (Company)

Antidote Films (Firm)

Research Call Number

*MGZIA 4-8160

View in Legacy Catalog