| Description |
3 sound cassettes (ca. 195 min.) + transcript (76 leaves) |
| Note |
Interviews with Baayork Lee conducted by Liza Gennaro at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in New York City on June 13 and 23, 2003. |
| Summary |
Cassette 1, 06/13/03 (ca. 90 min.). Baayork Lee discusses her family background; her first performing experiences and developing a serious interest in dance; studying at the School of American Ballet; her admiration for Maria Tallchief; attending the New York City High School of Performing Arts [now the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and the Arts]; her desire to become a ballerina; her experience as a child performing in the musical comedy The King and I and then Flower Drum Song; more on her experience at the New York City High School of Performing Arts; her friendship with Carol Haney; her first experience working on opera; the development of her career; her experience in the show, Mister President; working with Donald McKayle on Golden Boy; the limited opportunities for Asian performers on Broadway; working with Michael Bennett; his skill and versatility; becoming a dance captain in the musical comedy Promises, promises; working on the film, Jesus Christ, superstar; her first experience choreographing when doctoring the show Seesaw with Michael Bennett and others. |
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Cassette 2, 06/23/03 (ca. 90 min.). Lee continues her discussion of working on the show Seesaw; defining the roles of those who work with the choreographer; the development of A chorus line; the unusual audition process; Lee's transition from her ballet training toward work on the Broadway stage; more on the personal and difficult aspects of the development of A chorus line; the relationship of her role in that show to her real life; the broader social and cultural influences of her role in that show; more on the creative process and development of the show; her role as assistant choreographer, dance captain, and re-stager of A chorus line; the impact of A chorus line on subsequent musical theater productions as well as on the performers who were in it; her career after A chorus line; choreographing for opera; her working process. |
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Cassette 3, 06/23/03 (ca. 15 min.). Lee speaks further about some of the topics regarding her childhood performing and training; changes in the field since she performed, particularly the current lack of mentoring and sense of community. |
| Subject |
Lee, Baayork.
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Bennett, Michael, 1943 Apr. 8-1987.
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School of American Ballet.
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Fiorella H. La Guardia High School of Music and the Arts (New York, N.Y.)
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Race awareness.
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Asian Americans -- Ethnic identity.
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Race discrimination.
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Racism and the arts.
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| Local Subject |
Musical comedies. Mister President.
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Musical comedies. The King and I.
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Musical comedies. A chorus line.
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Musical comedies. Flower drum song.
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Musical comedies. Promises, promises.
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Audiotapes -- Baayork, L.
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| Added Author |
Gennaro, Liza, Interviewer.
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| Donor/Sponsor |
Oral History Archive. Oral History Project.
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| Call No. |
*MGZTC 3-2384 sound cassettes
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| Research Call Number |
*MGZTC 3-2384 sound cassettes
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*MGZMT 3-2384 transcript
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