TitleNorth American Dance Critics Conference: opening session, 1974
NamesGruen, John (Speaker)Siegel, Marcia B (Speaker)Jowitt, Deborah (Speaker)Barnes, Clive, 1927-2008 (Speaker)Cohen, Selma Jeanne, 1920-2005 (Speaker)Croce, Arlene (Speaker)Steinberg, Michael, 1928-2009 (Speaker)Littler, William (Moderator)Shelton, Suzanne (Speaker)Wyman, Max, 1939- (Speaker)Terry, Walter (Speaker)Fanger, Iris M (Speaker)
CollectionDance Audio Archive
Dates / OriginDate Created: 1974-06-06
Library locationsJerome Robbins Dance DivisionShelf locator: *MGZTO 7-806
TopicsCannell, KathleenGruen, JohnSiegel, Marcia BJowitt, DeborahBarnes, Clive, 1927-2008Cohen, Selma Jeanne, 1920-2005Croce, ArleneSteinberg, Michael, 1928-2009Littler, WilliamShelton, SuzanneWyman, Max, 1939-Dance Critics Association (U.S.)Dance criticsDance criticismDance critics -- CongressesDance -- New York (State) -- New York -- 1974
GenresSpeechesPanel discussions
NotesContent: Opening session of the North American Dance Critics Conference, recorded on June 6, 1974 at the McAlpin Hotel in New York (N.Y.). This recording is of the keynote panel of the first annual conference of the Dance Critics Association. William Littler was the moderator; panelists included Selma Jeanne Cohen, Arlen Croce, Michael Steinberg, Suzanne Shelton, and Max Wyman. The recording also includes a general discussion (in streaming file 2) of the issue of a critic's objectivity as well as eulogies given by Iris Fanger and Walter Terry for Kathleen Cannell. This is followed by a general discussion (which continues into streaming file 3), focused on the need to educate publishers and editors about the function of dance critics. Speakers from the audience included Deborah Jowitt, John Gruen, Marcia Siegel, and Clive Barnes.Content: Identification of the speakers William Littler, Suzanne Shelton, and Max Wyman is based in part on a description found of the conference at the website for the Dance Critics Association, viewed on April 3, 2019.Venue: Recorded at the opening session of the North American Dance Critics Conference June 6, 1974 New York (N.Y.)
Physical DescriptionAudiotape reelExtent: 1 audiotape reel (approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes) : analog, 7.5 ips, polyester, quarter-trackSound quality is fair. The recording is marred by extraneous noise. However, the speakers' voices are intelligible for the most part.
DescriptionStreaming audio file 1 (approximately 23 minutes). Announcements and introductory remarks by William Littler as moderator, including a summary of the events that led to the current conference; following Littler's introduction, Selma Jeanne Cohen speaks about the history of dance criticism including notable dance critics of the past beginning with Théophile Gautier, and reasons for starting a dance critics association including the greater challenges posed by the sheer diversity of dance forms being performed today; Littler introduces the topic of the definition of a dance critic and the next speaker, Arlene Croce; Arlene Croce speaks about possible purposes of a dance critics association and her thoughts on research [ends abruptly]. Streaming audio file 2 (approximately 55 minutes). [Begins abruptly.] Suzanne Shelton speaks about the problems of regional critics and how an organization of dance critics could help with them; William Littler introduces the question of qualifications (of a dance critic) and the next speaker, Michael Steinberg; Michael Steinberg speaks about the issue of qualifications and how a critics' association could address this; Littler introduces the question as to what extent a dance critic should or must distance him or herself from others involved with dance in order to maintain objectivity; Max Wyman speaks about his personal experience with this problem following which Littler asks the other panel members to comment; Littler makes several announcements and adjourns the session [ambient noise, from approximately 25:30 to approximately 28 minutes]; following several additional announcements by Littler, Iris Fanger and Walter Terry each gives a short eulogy for the recently deceased Kathleen (Kitty) Cannell; Littler opens the floor to general discussion. The major topic discussed is the need for publishers and editors to better understand the function of dance criticism; speakers from the audience include Deborah Jowitt, John Gruen, and Marcia Siegel [ends abruptly but continues on streaming audio file 3].; Streaming audio file 3 (approximately 35 minutes). Continuation of discussion of problems dance critics have with publishers and editors and how to try to resolve them. Speakers from the audience include Clive Barnes, who speaks about the need to recognize that the audience for dance is smaller than that for the other performing arts such as music. From approximately 24 minutes, the recording consists of announcements and ambient noise.
Type of ResourceSound recording
LanguagesEnglish
IdentifiersRLIN/OCLC: 1091583977NYPL catalog ID (B-number): b12118403Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): f812c900-5313-0137-8f6c-04dd4274b6d6
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