DANCECleveland SIXTY YEARS SINCE 1956 DC@60 From a church basement to the glittering lights of Playhouse Square, DANCECleveland has had a storied journey which has matched the innovation and growth of the art form of modern dance itself. Founded by a group of dance lovers, the organization has always had at its core a dogged determination to advance the understanding and appreciation of dance. Through all six decades of our history, our organization has presented the best and most innovative dance com- panies on stages around northeast Ohio. We have fo- cused on creative educational experiences for children and adults, commissioned new work by leading dance makers and worked tirelessly to bring the passion and verve of modern and contemporary dance, in all of its passion verve forms, to the people of northeast Ohio. In doing so, + DANCECleveland has blossomed into an organization as exciting and innovative as the medium itself and has of modern dance become a vital piece in the mosaic of arts organizations in northeast Ohio. It has been both my pleasure and privilege to serve an organization with such a rich history and national rep- utation. Although the agenda for this organization has changed over time, its focus on mission has remained constant. Perhaps our most significant job has been and continues to be to serve as a compass, gauging where modern dance has been and how its innovative dance makers are charting a path forward. This publication is dedicated to that journey. Pamela Young Executive Director DANCECleveland BACKGROUND IMAGE CEDAR LAKE DANCE COMPANY CMDA FOUNDERS Thelma Brock Iris Kleinman Feurer Miriam Glazer Marian Holmes 1956-1966 Patricia Jewitt MEETING QUITE BY HAPPENSTANCE AT A MASTERCLASS taught by a member of the Martha Graham Joy Kane Company, a group of local women who had all studied dance in college found their passion for dance rekindled. So on January 2, 1956 the group banded together, under the leadership of Lillian Viviene Krupkin Weisberg and Marian Holmes, to form The Cleveland Modern Dance Association. Determined to Miriam McCollom continue to study this exciting dance form, CMDA offered dance classes for adults and children along with lecture-performances and set the direction for the organization going forward. Dorothy Mozen Lillian Weisberg From the start, they aimed high by CMDA’s first stage presentation was Dance innovator Daniel Nagrin of CMDA dancers began performing To celebrate the first decade of the frequently hiring noted professionals husband and wife team Emily Frankel Daniel Nagrin Dance, who was known with their own lecture-performance growing organization, CMDA orche- from New York and other cities as and Mark Ryder, whose dance aes- for intensely dramatic solos that Group in 1960. Their first event was strated an event at the Jewish Co- teachers including José Limón, a thetic came from Ryder’s years with became modern dance classics, was at the Cleveland Music School Set- mmunity Center in Cleveland Heights modern dance pioneer, whose works Martha Graham. In spite of a snow brought to Cleveland in 1959 to tlement in University Circle. That which featured a dance performed and technique strongly influenced storm that night in 1957 and the con- teach master classes and perform same year, the first CMDA scholar- by CMDA’s group members. modern dance as we know it today. cerns of CMDA founders that no one for CMDA. ship was given to Kathryn Karip- CMDA collaborated with Karamu would attend, 500 people came to ides to study with one of modern House and the Cleveland Institute the performance. dance’s founders Hanya Holmes in of Music to host Limón’s visit in 1956, Colorado. a community partnering concept that DANCECleveland continues today. DANIEL NAGRIN MASTER CLASS JOSÉ LIMÓN MARTHA GRAHAM MARK RYDER, EMILY FRANKEL 1967-1976 AT THE BEGINNING OF ITS SECOND DECADE, members of CMDA developed a professional dance group called “The Dance Jesters” whose program, “The Box Tops,” was a huge success. Its first production premiered at Woodbury Junior High School. MURRAY LOUIS In 1968, CMDA presented the one- Former principal dancer in the Nikolais CMDA began dance therapy work- In 1973, the association hired its CMDA formed a dance group in 1974 In 1973-74 CMDA participated in the year-old Louis Falco Dance Company Dance Company, Murray Louis form- shops in 1972 facilitated by Lillian first executive director, Phyllis that included many of its members. National Endowment for the Arts in their Cleveland debut. Falco, who had ed his own dance company which Weisberg, a CMDA founder and a Levine, and subsequently opened The “Dancing Mimes” performed mime program, “Arts in the Schools.” danced with José Limón’s company, CMDA presented in their Cleveland member of the National American a dance studio/school in Shaker and movement, under the direction Miriam Glazer was the director of would become internationally ac- premiere in 1970, just two years af- Dance Therapy Association. This Heights where creative movement of Miriam McCollam who served the program which taught elemen- claimed as an exciting performer ter Murray Louis Dance Company program, which brought in leading and dance classes were taught to as both artistic director and chore- tary school teachers how to use recognized for his individualistic was founded. Louis, who pushed national dance therapy teachers, over a 1000 children and adults. ographer. This group performed in dance in academic studies. Virginia choreographic style. the boundaries of modern dance, continued for more than 30 years. This thriving school continued schools and other venues around Tanner, well-known children’s dance became known worldwide as a bril- until 1979. greater Cleveland. instructor, came to Cleveland to teach. liantly nimble dancer and a unique- ly gifted choreographer, teacher and spokesman for the art form. LOUIS FALCO ELAINE SIEGAL ELAINE THE CMDA DANCING MIMES CMDA DANCERS BACKGROUND IMAGE MAXWELL & MORGAN 1977-1986 DURING THIS DECADE, CMDA began presenting an annual performance series featuring the most renowned names in the world of modern dance. Audiences were delighted to welcome the premieres of Nikolais Dance Theatre and Bella Lewitzky. CMDA celebrated its 25th anniversary In 1983 CMDA became a resident The first season in the organization’s Over the next two years, CMDA brought For its 30th anniversary, Cleveland in 1981 and presented Pilobolus, a company at Playhouse Square, making new downtown home was a resound- a dazzling array of dance talent to Cleveland Modern Dance Association company that would become a per- its home at the newly restored Ohio ing success. CMDA doubled member- Playhouse Square, including Alvin changed its name to DANCECleveland. ennial Cleveland audience favorite – Theatre. The inaugural performance ships, tripled subscriptions, sold out Ailey American Dance Theater, Lar With this rebranding, the organ- performing nine times during the fittingly featured Martha Graham performances by Paul Taylor Dance Lubovitch, Mumenschanz, Hubbard ization firmly set its sights on the organization’s first 60 years. Dance Co., the dancer and orga- Company and Pilobolus and was Street Dance Co., Merce Cunningham future. nization that spawned so many of honored with the Northern Ohio Live and Murray Louis featuring live music the luminaries of the modern dance Award for artistic excellence. by jazz great Dave Brubeck. world. CMDA also launched a part- nership with Cuyahoga Community College, one that continues today. Their first joint presentationwas the groundbreaking Trisha Brown Dance Company, whose founder was pivotal in the evolution of contemporary dance. ANN ENNIS, PAUL TAYLOR PILOBOLUS BACKGROUND IMAGE TRISHA BROWN 1987-1996 DANCECLEVELAND CELEBRATED THE OPENING of its fourth decade with a proclamation from Cleveland’s Mayor highlighting the organization’s 30 years of cultural contributions to the performing arts of Cleveland. PARSONS DANCE COMPANY In 1996 DANCECleveland partnered As its 40th anniversary approached, DANCECleveland continued to bring The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance In 1990 Lillian Weisberg received a DANCECleveland presented Cleve- with Cleveland State University and DANCECleveland presented Oberlin new, cutting edge programming, Company premiered in Cleveland in Lifetime Achievement Award from land native Dianne McIntyre who Gina Gibney to launch an imaginative Dance Company–returning home from along-side performances that expand- 1988. It was the last performance by the American Dance Therapy As- made her Beck Center debut in 1992. program called “Food for Thought,” its base in California–for performances ed audiences’ perceptions about the Zane before his untimely death a few sociation for her tireless work in Lauded today as one of modern dance’s a dance incubator that nurtured the of “The Velveteen Rabbit,” a dance art form of dance. From Ballroom months later. Jones returned many Cleveland. foremost performer/choreographers, development of new works by local adaptation of the classic children’s to masterful and exciting new dance times to the Ohio Theatre and has McIntyre is also known for her in- choreographers. National dance profess- story. makers, David Parsons, Lar Lubovitch received countless awards for his novative modern dance and music ionals, adjudicators and educators and others, audiences eagerly awaited innovative work. Other luminaries collaborations. provided input and guidance for the annual season announcement making their Cleveland debuts during their nascent works, and