Lester horton dance arviches

Details

11,600 items (55 containers, 30.75 linear feet)

Organized into the following series: I. Business Papers (1926-1996, bulk 1936-1960), II. Production Files (1928-1996, bulk 1936-1955), subdivided: Individual Works (1928-1981), Programs (1931-1996), III. Education Files (1935-1975), IV. Correspondence (1939-1996), subdivided: Individuals (1929-1994), Organizations (1933-1996), V. Professional Papers (1929-1992), VI. Photographs (circa 1935-1994), VII. Music (1918-1959)

The collection, which documents Horton's personal and professional life and the activities of the Lester Horton Dance Theater, contains clippings, correspondence, costume and set designs, course descriptions, drawings, financial documents, music, photographs, programs, promotional materials, writings, and typed choreographic scenarios. Individuals represented include Alvin Ailey, William Bowne, Merce Cunningham, Carmen De Lavallade, Frank Eng, Lelia Goldoni, Judith Hamilton, Michio Itō, Bella Lewitzky, Margaret Lloyd, Don Martin, Juan Carlos Paz, Joyce Trisler, James Truitte, and Larry Warren

The Business Papers series contains records, bank statements, contracts, financial documents, press releases, and internal communications, outlining the everyday activities of a mid-20th century modern dance company. Several folders of bills and receipts give a sense of the company's routine expenditures. Clippings and scrapbooks chart Horton's early career as it evolved into the formation the Dance Theater. Architectural drawings, leases, and permits document changes to the Dance Theater's permanent space on Melrose Avenue

The Production Files series contains photographs, programs, written scenarios, and costume and set renderings related to Horton's work and that of the Dance Theater. The majority of the material relates to choreographic works put on by the Dance Theater, including pieces created after Horton's death. However, works created by Horton independent of the Dance Theater are also fou

Larry Warren was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1932, and moved to North Hollywood, California in his teens. He studied Theater Arts at UCLA, and after graduating, studied dance in Los Angeles with Ruth St. Denis, Bella Lewitzky, and James Truitte. Warren then relocated to New York City where he studied at the Martha Graham School.

Warren returned to California and earned his Master's degree at UCLA, writing his thesis on Lester Horton. In 1971, Warren became faculty at the University of Maryland, and also co-founded the Maryland Dance Theater. He served as Associate Director of the company until 1975, and Director from 1976 to 1988, when the Maryland Dance Theater disbanded. Warren continued to teach until his retirement in 1995.

The Lester Horton Dance Theater was founded by the dancer, choreographer, and teacher, Lester Horton in 1946. The Theater was based in Hollywood, California, and housed both a dance company and dance school, which offered classes for adults and children. Horton coordinated several seasons of modern dance performances at the Theater until his death in 1953. His business partner, Frank Eng, continued to run the Theatre until it closed in 1960.

Lester Horton (January 23, 1906 – November 2, 1953) was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana.  As a young boy, Horton was fascinated by the American Indian, which later inspired him to study Native American dance and influenced his movement style. His interest in dance began in 1922 when Ted Shawn and Ruth St. Denis’s tour came to Indianapolis. He began to study ballet, and in 1925 he auditioned for a US tour with Forrest Thornburg, a former Denishawn dancer. Touring allowed him to learn a large part of the Denishawn repertoire and study modern. After the tour he returned to Indianapolis where he pursued his early interest in the American Indian and studied Native American dance with Clara Bates. Together they created a pageant based on the poem “The Song of Hiawatha”.  They were invited to perform the piece at the Argus Bowl in Eagle Rock, Ca in 1929.  Horton decided to stay in California where he began to study with Michio Ito. Later that year he performed At The Hawk’s Well choreographed by Ito at the Argus Bowl.

Horton began teaching and choreographing in the Los Angeles Area. In 1931 he began teaching students at Glendale High School, and in 1932 he joined the faculty at Norma Gould’s School of Dance. He was invited to perform at the Dance Festival at the 1931 Los Angeles Olympic Games, and in 1932 he formed his first company, the Lester Horton Dancers. Over its lifetime from 1932-1944, the company had several names including: Lester Horton California Ballet (1934) and The Horton Dance Group (1934). Together with Gould he produced a concert in 1935 called Sun Cycle that featured Hopi Indians. He produced his first evening length concert at the Shrine Auditorium in 1934, and in 1937 he was invited to choreograph a ballet, his own Sacre du Printemps, for the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to choreographing for his company, Horton choreographed for 19 films and musicals. His work ca