Donald McKayle discusses seeing Pearl Primus perform for the first time; his first audition; his first choreographic work in 1948; receiving the Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award with a viewing of the film shown at the awards entitled, Donald McKayle: Games, Rainbow and other Dances, by Marilyn Cristofori and Gregg Lizenbery; McKayle's career involving all aspects of dance, including working with Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, and Ann Margaret; how his career was always changing and challenging; choreographing for John Barton's Tantalus, directed by Peter Hall; meeting Alvin Ailey in the Broadway musical, House of Flowers; touring with Martha Graham in 1955; meeting and joining Anna Sokolow's company; participating in the Committee for the Negros in the Arts, with Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier; benefit to raise funds for Paul Robeson where McKayle performed with Harry Belafonte; Paul Robeson's funeral; choreographing for the movie, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, the audition process, and a dance number for Angela Lansbury; the difference between performing in a Broadway Musical such as West Side Story and concert dance; working with Diana Ross and the creation of a number for her; the challenges of working with Michael Jackson and Roberta Flack; going back to University and working with students on a project for the Centennial of Jazz; talking about more recent projects; and concludes with Question & Answer session.
Series statement
Susan Hess Modern Dance Lecture Series Video Archive
Uniform title
Games (Choreographic work : McKayle)
Rainbow 'round my shoulder (Choreographic work : McKayle)
Susan Hess Modern Dance Lecture Series Video Archive.