| Description |
5 sound cassettes (5.5 hrs.) + 1 transcript (231 leaves ; 28 cm.) |
| Note |
For transcript, see: *MGZMT 3-2111. |
|
Interviewed by Susan Kraft, August 1997, at the Dance Collection, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. |
| Access |
Permission required from interviewee. |
| Summary |
Cassette 1. Recorded August 12, 1997. Mr. Becofsky describes his background and education in political science; his unexpected decision to work at the Cunningham Dance Foundation; the structure of the Foundation at that time; his increasing interest in and commitment to the Foundation and to the Merce Cunningham Dance Company; the Board of Directors; Jean Rigg's departure; Richard Svare's brief period managing the company; the premiere of Travelogue; Merce Cunningham's decision to disband and then re-form the company to be jointly run by Becofsky and Martha Lohmeyer; first touring experiences; growth of the company in the late 1970s; development of long term residencies and relationships with other theaters; Inlets; the changing lives of dancers and others involved in the company; the stimulating intellectual life of the company in earlier years; John Cage. |
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Cassette 2. Recorded August 19, 1997. Mr. Becofsky discusses becoming Executive Director of the Cunningham Dance Foundation; structural development and expansion of the company; his deepening commitment to the organization; costume issues in Exchange [Cunningham]; his efforts to create a stable administration and its positive impact on the company; touring England; his developing interest in Asia; introducing Cunningham and Mother Theresa; Cage's changing relationship to the company; the origins and creation of Roaratorio; the Board of Directors; the expansion of the company in the late 1970s and early 1980s; the increasing demands on Cunningham and tensions that developed by the mid 1980s; Mark Lancaster, and the transition to William Anastasi and Dove Bradshaw as artistic advisors; Cunningham's prolific creativity; strategies for coping with the company's expansion; Chris Komar's position as assistant to the choreographer; the development of the Repertory Understudy Group; recent changes in the company; the younger generation of dancers in the company. |
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Cassette 3. August 19, 1997 continued. Mr. Becofsky discusses formalizing plans for the future of the company; John Cage's death and the impact on Cunningham and the company; the creation of Ocean; Chris Komar's illness. |
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Cassette 4. Recorded August 26, 1997. Mr. Becofsky discusses the development of Ocean; the creating of a National Endowment for the Arts Challenge Grant proposal to do long range planning for the company; the strains and challenges caused by receiving this grant; Cage's death early in the grant period and Becofsky's increasing problems running the Foundation during this time; tension with the dancer's union (AGMA); Komar's illness; leaving the Foundation; the impact on him and others; Komar's death; reflecting on his experiences and career; the field of arts administration; new aspects of his work; new models for dance companies. |
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Cassette 5. August 26, 1997 continued. Mr. Becofsky discusses the development of Art Plus Management Services through which Becofsky advises choreographers and their management; his interest in developing performing opportunities for American dance in Asia; his writing and journal keeping. |
| Local Note |
Preservation master cassette: *MGZTCO 3-2111. |
|
Archival transcript: *MGZMTO 3-2111. |
| Subject |
Rigg, Jean.
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Cunningham, Merce.
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Cage, John.
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Anastasi, William.
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Bradshaw, Dove.
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Lancaster, Mark.
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Komar, Chris.
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Cunningham Dance Foundation.
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Merce Cunningham Dance Company.
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Repertory Understudy Group.
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National Endowment for the Arts. Challenge Grant Program.
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American Guild of Musical Artists.
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Travelogue (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
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Inlets (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
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Exchange (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
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Roaratorio (Choreographic work : Cunningham)
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Arts -- Management.
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| Local Subject |
Audiotapes -- Becofsky, A.
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| Added Author |
Kraft, Susan, 1961- Interviewer.
|
| Donor/Sponsor |
Oral History Archive. Oral History Project.
|
| Call No. |
*MGZTC 3-2111 (sound cassette)
|
| Research Call Number |
*MGZTC 3-2111 (sound cassette)
|
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*MGZMT 3-2111 (transcript)
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