Research Catalog

Title

Interview with Alwin Nikolais [sound recording]

Author

Nikolais, Alwin.

Publication

1993.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Winer, Arlene.
• Louis, Murray.

Description

1 sound disc : digital (ca. 56 min.); 4 3/4 in.

Summary

• Nikolais speaks about his first exposure to dance at age 20; seeing Mary Wigman dance and meeting Truda Kaschmann; studying with Kaschmann; choreographing his first professional ballet; attending the summer dance program at Bennington College; meeting Hanya Holm; military experience during World War II; studying with Holm and teaching at her school; becoming the director of the dance program at the Henry Street Settlement; working as Holm's assistant in 1949; meeting Murray Louis; Louis's coming to work at the Henry Street Settlement.
• Nikolais speaks about establishing a semi-professional division of young dancers at the Henry Street Settlement; his emphasis on creativity; the influence of his wartime experiences on his work; his redefining of dance as an abstract art of motion; touring with the young dancers' division under the name Nikolais Dance Theatre; growing national reputation of the group; his work Kaleidoscope; appearances on the Steve Allen Show; the productivity of this period; his emphasis on the visual, abstract aspects of dance; innovative use of lighting; of electronic music; the popularity of his productions. Nikolais speaks about leaving the Henry Street Playhouse; views on the current state of modern dance; pride in having had the opportunity to develop his own definition of dance.

Donor/Sponsor

• National Endowment for the Arts, 2001-2002.
• Gift of Arlene Winer.
• Oral History Archive.

Subjects

• Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.)
• Modern dance > History > 20th century
• Henry Street Playhouse (New York, N.Y.)
• Nikolais Dance Theatre
• Dance teachers
• Henry Street Settlement (New York, N.Y.)
• Audiotapes > Nikolais, A
• Nikolais, Alwin
• Wigman, Mary, 1886-1973
• Holm, Hanya, 1893-1992
• Louis, Murray
• Kaschmann, Truda Fackenheim, 1906-1986
• Henry Street Playhouse Dance Company

Note

• Interview of Alwin Nikolais by Arlene Winer at Nikolais' home in New York City, recorded on Jan. 27, 1993 as part of the Henry Street Settlement Oral History Centennial Project.
• Murray Louis was also present at the interview and added a few remarks near the end.

Funding (note)

• Preservation was made possible in part by public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, 2001-2002.

Call Number

*MGZTL 4-2342

OCLC

NYPY02-R29

Author

Nikolais, Alwin. Interviewee

Title

Interview with Alwin Nikolais [sound recording]

Imprint

1993.

Funding

Preservation was made possible in part by public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, 2001-2002.

Local Note

Arch. orig.: *MGZTCO 3-2342.

Preservation master: *MGZTP 4-2342.

Dubbing master: *MGZTD 4-2342.

Local Subject

Audiotapes -- Nikolais, A.

Added Author

Winer, Arlene. Interviewer

Louis, Murray. Interviewee

Research Call Number

*MGZTL 4-2342