Research Catalog

Title

Interview with Cynthia Hedstrom [sound recording].

Author

Hedstrom, Cynthia.

Publication

1998.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

George, Laurel.

Description

2 sound cassettes (approx. 2.5 hours) +

Summary

• Cassette 1. 7/11/98. Cynthia Hedstrom discusses her family background; her first dance classes; her decision to attend Sarah Lawrence College; her involvement with politics during college; and visiting New York City. She describes studying with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company during their residency in Boulder, Colorado; and meeting and being influenced by John Cage and Merce Cunningham. She recalls making frequent visits to, and exploring, downtown New York City; describes her travels and studies in India and Indonesia. She discusses returning to New York; studying with Barbara Dilley; the dance collective Natural History of the American Dancer; working at the restaurant, Food; and her performing experiences at that time. Hedstrom describes working in Lucinda Childs' dance company and with Judy Padow; and reflects on her decision to stop dancing. She discusses the origins and goals of Movement Research; alternative methods of physical training which were of interest during this period; and the transition of Movement Research from a collective to an incorporated, not-for-profit organization. Hedstrom describes the economic conditions at that time, and her interest in the performing group, Grand Union.
• Cassette 2. 8/1/98. Ms. Hedstrom discusses the Danspace Project in New York in the 1970's and the beginning of her administrative involvement in the 1980's. She describes the renovation of St. Mark's Church after the fire and the relationship between the vestry of the church and Danspace. She remembers the Judson Dance Theater Reconstructions as the first performances in the re-opened space, and her reaction to seeing them. She describes the Studies Project and its program with Bill T. Jones and Steve Paxton. Hedstrom then discusses her vision for Danspace when she was its administrator; issues faced by dance presenters; her changing role at Danspace; her work after Danspace; her vision of the artist's place in the current presenting, social and economic climate; and the need for alternative performing spaces.

Alternative Title

• Dance Oral History Project.
• Dance Audio Archive.

Subjects

• Judson Dance Theater Reconstructions (Concert series)
• Movement Research, Inc
• Natural History of the American Dancer (Dance company)
• Hedstrom, Cynthia > Interviews
• Grand Union (Performance group)
• Danspace Project (New York, N.Y.)
• Arts > Management
• Paxton, Steve
• Jones, Bill T
• Padow, Judy
• Studies Project
• Audiotapes > Hedstrom, C

Note

• For transcript, see *MGZMT 3-2172.
• Interviewed by Laurel George at the Dance Collection, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, and at Ms. George's home, both in New York City.

Access (note)

• Transcripts may not be photographed or reproduced without permission.

Call Number

*MGZMT 3-2172

OCLC

NYPY99-R28

Author

Hedstrom, Cynthia. Interviewee

Title

Interview with Cynthia Hedstrom [sound recording].

Imprint

1998.

Local Note

Preservation master cassette: *MGZTCO 3-2172.

Dubbing master: *MGZTD 10-2172.

Archival transcript: *MGZMTO 3-2172.

Partially funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Restricted Access

Transcripts may not be photographed or reproduced without permission.

Local Subject

Audiotapes -- Hedstrom, C.

Added Author

George, Laurel. Interviewer

Research Call Number

*MGZMT 3-2172 [Transcript]

*MGZTC 3-2172 [Cassette]