| Description |
4 sound discs (ca. 190 min.): digital; 4 3/4 in. |
| Note |
Interview with Lavina Williams-Yarborough conducted by Tobi Tobias Jan. 11 and 17, 1976 in New York City, for the New York Public Library Dance Collection Oral History Project. |
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Due to damage to the original tape recording, the interview begins with disc no. 3. The content of the first section of the original tape recording can be found in pages 1-100 of the transcript. Content summary of pages 1-100: Lavinia Williams-Yarborough discusses the quality of contemporary dancers, her childhood and early dance training, her studies to be an artist, becoming a professional dancer with Eugene von Grona's American Negro Ballet, and dancing with Agnes de Mille's and Katherine Dunham's companies. |
| Summary |
Disc 3, Jan. 11, 1976 (ca. first 41 min.) and Jan. 17, 1976 (ca. final 2:30 min.). Lavinia Williams-Yarborough speaks with Tobi Tobias about performing in the musical comedy Cabin in the sky, including on tour; becoming stranded in Hollywood and reasons she has always kept performing regardless of the conditions; circumstances of her leaving Katherine Dunham's company and going to Europe to perform in the USO shows; meeting Kyra Nijinsky and their friendship; returning to the U.S. and joining the cast of Finian's rainbow, including the auditions and working with Michael Kidd; George Balanchine's kindness to her students; her marriage to Shannon Yarborough; creating a school at her house; joining the musical comedy My darlin' Aida; the circumstances of her going to Haiti to dance and teach in 1953 [short gap followed by the beginning of a new session recorded on Jan. 17, 1976]; her teaching in Haiti. |
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Disc 4, Jan. 17, 1976 (ca. 52 min.). Lavinia Williams-Yarborough continues to speak with Tobi Tobias about the racism she has encountered; more on Haiti; voodoo, including the experience of being possessed; teaching dance and forming her own company in Haiti. |
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Disc 5, Jan. 17, 1976 (ca. 43 min.). Lavinia Williams-Yarborough continues to speak with Tobi Tobias about voodoo, including possession; staging dance shows that incorporated voodoo, at hotels; the Haitian Academy and the companies she formed in Haiti; her daughters and their dance training; sending students to George Balanchine's classes; more on her experiences in Haiti. |
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Disc 6, Jan. 17, 1976 (ca. 44 min.). Lavinia Williams-Yarborough continues to speak with Tobi Tobias about her experiences in Haiti, including her teaching dance to François "Papa Doc" Duvalier's children; her opinions on the concept of black dance and Caribbean dance; her views on Arthur Mitchell's company and Alvin Ailey's company; circumstances of her moving from Haiti to Guyana; her plans for dance education in the Bahamas. |
| Funding |
Preservation was funded in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, 2007-2008 and the National Endowment for the Arts, 2007-2008. |
| System Details |
Transferred from 2 sound tape reels (ca. 274 min.; 1 7/8 in. per sec.; 5 in.; polyester; originally recorded Jan. 11 and 17, 1976) to wav file and compact disc formats in 2008. |
| Local Note |
For transcript of interview, see *MGZMT 5-415. |
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Archival original: *MGZTO 5-415 reels 1-2 |
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Dubbing master: *MGZTD 4-415 nos. 1-6. |
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Former call number: *MGZT 5-415. |
| Note |
National Endowment for the Arts, 2007-2008. |
|
New York State Council on the Arts, 2007-2008. |
|
Oral history archive. Oral history project. |
| Subject |
Yarborough, Lavinia Williams.
|
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American Negro Ballet (Eugene von Grona)
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Voodooism.
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Dance, Black.
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Dance -- Haiti.
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African American dancers.
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Audiotapes -- Yarborough, L.
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| Added Author |
Tobias, Tobi, Interviewer.
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| Call No. |
*MGZTL 4-415
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| Research Call Number |
*MGZTL 4-415
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