Dixie Durr Papers
UA.17.264

Summary Information
Biographical Note
Scope and Contents note
Administrative Information
Controlled Access Headings
Collection Inventory

Summary Information

Repository: Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
Creator - Donor: Durr, Dixie
Title: Dixie Durr papers
ID: UA.17.264
Date [inclusive]: 1972-2006
Extent: 7.0 Cubic feet
Language: English

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing, Michigan."

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Biographical Note

(Taken from Dixie Durr's "History of Dance at Michigan State University Brief Outline," Box 4136, Folder 42)

Dance began at Michigan State University under the jurisdiction of the Department of Physical Education, and was a regular part of the curriculum for female physical education students. There is no exact date for the beginning of dance being taught on campus, but there is evidence showing that the honorary organization Orchesis was presenting dance concerts in the 1930s.

The earliest dance program consisted of only the most basic dance courses. Demand for dance increased in the 1960s, however, and Jazz, Ballet, Methods of Teaching Dance, Choreography, and Dance Production were added to the curriculum. Students in the Methods class taught weekly dance lessons to local children.

The Men's and Women's Physical Education Programs merged in the late 1960s. While this move was not entirely beneficial for those involved in the dance program, the students and faculty were able to remodel Orchesis into the MSU Repertory Dance Company and eventually gain greater visibility. Dance concerts also started to be planned in conjunction with the sound experts, costume designers, and lighting professionals of the Theater Department.

In 1978, the dance major was introduced through Justin Morrill College. New programs allowed for the student's dance education to be more incorporated with the world. Dance majors now studied Physiology and Anatomy, Philosophy, History of Dance, and advanced technique classes, in addition to their previous core courses.

The dance program underwent great upheaval in the early 1980s. Due to poor economic conditions in Michigan, MSU was forced to cut multiple departments, including dance. Fortunately, the program was put under the auspices of the Department of Theater as a Specialization, where it has been able to remain and continue spreading the "gospel of dance" to students from every discipline.

Dixie Durr herself started at MSU at some point in the 1960s, where she taught dance until she retired in 2005. Durr received her PhD from Ohio State University, her MA in theatre from Michigan State University, another MA in the Anthropology of Human Movement from New York University, and her BA in dance from Butler University. She was also a certified teacher of Labnotation. A number of dance journals have published Durr's work, and she is also highly accredited for her choreography work while at MSU.

Her obituary states that Dr. Durr also, "was a member of the Professional Advisory Committee to the Dance Notation Bureau, a member of the Board of Directors of the American Dance Guild, and president of the Michigan Dance Association from 1987 to 1989. The National Dance Association recognized her with a Presidential Citation in 1994. In 2004 she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Michigan Dance Council. At MSU she was a member of the Faculty Professional Women's Association, serving as president. Durr was the recipient of the Paul Varg Alumni Award for Faculty presented by the MSU College of Arts and Letters Alumni Association and recognized by the College of Education in 2006 with a Crystal Apple Award."

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Scope and Contents note

The Dixie Durr papers contain dance and theater records dating from the 1950s up to the mid-2000s. Her academic materials contain information about the dance curriculum such as when specific dance classes were offered and what they involved. There are also materials about the transformation of the dance major and its stages as a major, minor, specialization, and eventual merger with the Department of Theater.

Records of dance workshops in which Dixie Durr's students participated are found in this collection. There are over a dozen companies from across the country that Durr was able to bring to MSU's campus throughout the last 30 years, as well as workshops that students were able to travel to out of state. The materials of MSU's own company, the Repertory Dance Company, can also be found here.

A large assortment of photographs and slides from the last 50 years include individual portraits of student dancers, posed group pictures, rehearsal shots, and both dance and theater performances.

All of the materials regarding performances are organized by title and include any relevant correspondence, newspaper clippings, show programs, or rehearsal notes. Programs from the dance department and the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts are also included.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections April 2013

Conrad Hall
888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Legal Status

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

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Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

Michigan State University. Orchesis.
Michigan State University. Repertory Dance Company.

Genre(s)

Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
Course materials
Letters (correspondence)
Photographs
Theater programs

Subject(s)

Choreography
Dance
Theater
Theater -- Study and teaching

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Collection Inventory

Academic materials 1950-2006
	Box	Folder
American College Dance Festival Association materials 1989-1991	4136	1
Correspondence, undated Undated	4136	2
Correspondence, 1960 - 1979. 1960-1979	4136	3
Correspondence, 1980 - 1989. 1980-1989	4136	4
Correspondence, 1990 - 1999. 1990-1999	4136	5
Correspondence, 2000. 2000	4136	6
Course load and promotion evaluation 1972-1980	4136	7
Dance classes: Ballet 1960-1990	4136	8
Dance classes: Choreography 1960-1990	4136	9
Dance classes: Dance Production 1960-1990	4136	10
Dance classes: Dance Studio 1960-1990	4136	11
Dance classes: History of Dance 1960-1990	4136	12
Dance classes: Jazz 1960-1990	4136	13
Dance classes: Labnotation 1960-1990	4136	14
Dance classes: Methods of Teaching Dance 1974	4136	15
Dance Classes: miscellaneous classes Circa 1970s Critical Issues in Dance Folk, Social, & Square Dance Independent Study/Senior Thesis Rhythmic Form and Analysis	4136	16
Dance classes: Modern Dance Circa 1970s	4136	17
Dance courses lists 1978-1984	4136	18
Dance field of concentration proposal 1977-1980	4136	19
Dance major information 1970-2006	4136	20
Dance minor/specialization information 1970-2006	4136	21
Dance Production Class 1980	4136	22
Dance Production Class concert, 1982. 1982	4136	23
Dance Production Class concert, 1984. 1984	4136	24
Dance Production Class concert, 1986. 1986	4136	25
Dance Production Class concert, 1992. 1992	4136	26
Dance Production Class concert, 1994. 1994	4136	27
Dance Production Class concert, 1996. 1996	4136	28
Dance Production Class concert, 1998. 1998	4136	29
Dance Production Class concert, 2000. 2000	4136	30
Dance Production Class concert, 2002. 2002	4136	31
Dance Production Class concert, 2004. 2004	4136	32
Dance Production Class concert, 2006. 2006	4136	33
Della Davidson correspondence 1976	4136	34
Department of Health, PE, and Recreation staff manual Circa 1970	4136	35
Elimination of the Dance Program 1983	4136	36
Elimination of the Dance Program correspondence 1983	4136	37
Elimination of the Dance Program newspaper articles 1983	4136	38
Forrest W. Coggan materials Circa 1950s	4136	39
GLADC research report 1979	4136	40
Harlequin Flooring information 2000	4136	41
History of Dance at MSU Undated	4136	42
In-depth Dance Study correspondence with Jeannine Galetti 1973	4136	43
Inquiries into the Lecture-Demonstration Dance Team 1976-1977	4136	44
Jacques d'Amboise materials 1991	4136	45
Katherine McCracken's Arts Survey of Michigan Colleges 1978	4136	46
Michigan Alliance for Arts Education newsletters 1979	4136	47
Michigan colleges dance staff survey Circa 1970s	4136	48
Michigan Council for the Arts Advisory Panel acceptance 1979-1980	4136	49
Michigan Council for the Arts grant review 1977	4136	50
Michigan Council for the Arts reports 1977-1978	4136	51
Michigan Dance Assembly constitution, meeting minutes, and materials 1976	4136	52
Michigan Dance Association administrative materials 1985-1988	4136	53
Michigan Dance Association information packets Circa 1980s	4136	54
Michigan Dance Association newsletters 1977-1979	4136	55
Michigan Music Educators Association materials 1979-1980	4136	56
MSU Division of Fine Arts curriculum 1957	4136	57
MSU Spring Dance Program report Circa 1950s	4136	58
Outstanding Faculty Award nomination 1989	4136	59
Peer evaluations 1976-1982	4136	60
Research project application and questionnaire 2000	4136	61
Scheduling and finance correspondence in the Department of Health 1979	4136	62
State Dance Assembly materials 1972-1973	4136	63
Statewide Assembly for Dance evaluation packet 1969	4136	64
Thespian Society materials 1970-1988	4136	65
TV script about the State Center for Performing Arts Undated	4136	66
Undergraduate Committee curriculum review Undated	4136	67
4-H Performing Arts Troupe 1974-1988	4136	68
Dance Workshops and Companies
	Box	Folder
ACDFA at Wayne State University 2004	4136	69
Alvin Ailey dance workshop, 1970. 1970	4136	70
Alvin Ailey dance workshop, 1972. 1972	4136	71
Alwin Nikolais Dance Theatre Week 1970	4136	72
American Dance Guild convention 1974	4136	73
Art Education Conference 1977	4136	74
Arthur Mitchell dance workshop 1971	4136	75
ATA dance workshop 1978	4136	76
Bella Lewitzky Dance Company workshop 1984	4136	77
Cecchetti Council Ballet Conference brochures 1965-1972	4136	78
Charles Martin Christmas dance workshop 1976	4136	79
CORD "Progress & Possibilities" conference 1987	4136	80
Dance Festival materials 1980	4136	81
Daniel Nagrin workshop 1976	4136	82
"Day with the Arts" event brochures 1971-1975	4136	83
Della Davidson and Gary Masters Christmas dance workshop 1975	4136	84
Don Redlich dance workshop 1970	4136	85
Douglas Hamby Dance Company materials 1981-1984	4136	86
Eliot Feld Ballet Company dance workshop 1984	4136	87
Emery Hermans dance workshop 1972	4136	88
Fine Arts Festival, 1969. 1969	4136	89
Fine Arts Festival, 1972. 1972	4136	90
Gerri Houlihan dance workshop 1974	4136	91
Hubbard Street Dance Company jazz dance workshop 1987	4136	92
Inter-Arts Workshop materials 1974-1976	4136	93
"Labnotation" demonstration at Jocundry's Books 1992	4136	94
Lar Lubovitch dance workshop 1978	4136	95
Mackinac Island Arts Weekend 2000	4137	1
MAHPER Convention 1973	4137	2
Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters annual meeting 1973	4137	3
"Okemos Art Festival" event brochures 1972-1973	4137	4
Orchesis grant request information 1975	4137	5
Orchesis TV broadcast 1966	4137	6
Paul Sanasardo Dance Company workshop 1971	4137	7
Pilobus Dance Theatre materials 1981	4137	8
Puppeteer workshop 1973	4137	9
Reader's Theatre materials Undated	4137	10
Repertory Dance Company materials
	Box	Folder
1977-1978	4137	11
1978-1979	4137	12
1979-1980	4137	13
1980-1981	4137	14
1981-1982	4137	15
1982-1983	4137	16
1983-1984	4137	17
1984-1985	4137	18
1985-1986	4137	19
1986-1987	4137	20
1987-1988	4137	21
1988-1989	4137	22
1991-1992	4137	23
1992-1993	4137	24
1993-1994	4137	25
1994-1995	4137	26
1995-1996	4137	27
1996-1997	4137	28
1997-1998	4137	29
1998-1999	4137	30
1999-2000	4137	31
2000-2001	4137	32
2001-2002	4137	33
2002-2003	4137	34
2003-2004	4137	35
2004-2005	4137	36
Miscellaneous materials 1973	4137	37
Reportory Dance Company programs
	Box	Folder
1946-1968	4137	38
1970-1979	4137	39
1980-1989	4137	40
1990-2006	4137	41
	Box	Folder
Repertory Dance Company summer workshops 1976-1977	4137	42
Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company workshop 1976	4137	43
Robert Joffrey Ballet Week dance workshop 1968	4137	44
South Asian Dance workshop 1968	4137	45
Various lecture-demonstrations and workshops 1975-1999 Atlanta Contemporary Dance Company Creative Dramatics and Movement, Ingham County Council Folk Dance Institute Lecture-Demonstration script (untitled) Music Therapy Workshop Parsons Dance Company Terpischore Translated (?), lecture-demonstration	4137	46
"What is Dance?" lecture-demonstration materials 1978	4137	47
Yon Martin dance workshop 1973	4137	48
"You Are What You Eat" teacher in-service lecture -demonstration 1979	4137	49
Performances and programs
	Box	Folder
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," materials and articles, 1986. 1986	4137	50
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," newspaper articles, 2000. 2000	4137	51
"At the White Edge of Phrygia," materials 2004	4137	52
"Blood Wedding" materials 1972	4137	53
Breast cancer project 1998	4137	54
"Brigadoon" newspaper articles and correspondence 1991	4137	55
"Cabaret" materials and newspaper articles 1993	4140	2
"Carmen" materials 1975	4137	56
"Company" materials and newspaper articles 1997	4137	57
"Dance! Dance! Dance!" materials 1987	4137	58
"Dance in America: an African-American Journey" materials 1992	4137	59
"Evita" materials and newspaper articles 2001	4137	60
"Firebird" materials and newspaper articles 1984	4137	61
"Flickers" materials 1993-1994	4137	62
Frostburg State University Dance Company spring concert 1998	4137	63
"Guys and Dolls" materials and newspaper articles 1986	4137	64
"Hello Dolly" materials and newspaper articles 1995	4137	65
"Hope for the Flowers" materials 1977-1978	4138	1
"The King and I" materials and newspaper article 1968	4138	2
"Krutnava" opera materials and newspaper articles 1979	4138	3
"Lysistrata" materials and newspaper articles 1997	4138	4
"The Merry Widow" materials and newspaper articles 1992	4138	5
"Mikado" newspaper articles 1999	4138	6
"Musical Theater in Retrospect" materials 1987	4138	7
"My Fair Lady" materials and newspaper articles 1992	4138	8
"Oklahoma!" materials and newspaper articles 2003	4138	9
"Partita" materials 1977-1978	4138	10
Percussion Piece materials 1974	4138	11
"The Pirates of Penzance" materials and newspaper articles 1989	4138	12
"Presidents Club Day" materials 1982	4138	13
"Rikalda" opera materials 1976	4138	14
"West Side Story" materials and newspaper articles, 1985. 1985	4138	15
"West Side Story" materials and newspaper articles, 1994. 1994	4138	16
"Young People's Dance Concert" newspaper articles 1977-1979	4138	17
Dance newspaper articles
	Box	Folder
1965-1969	4138	18
1970-1974	4138	19
1975-1979	4138	20
Circa 1985	4138	21
1980-1986	4138	22
1987	4138	23
1988	4138	24
1989	4138	25
1990-1994	4138	26
1995-1999	4138	27
2000-2005	4138	28
	Box	Folder
Department of Theatre miscellaneous show programs 1986-1994	4138	29
Lansing-area dance articles 1988-1999	4138	30
Miscellaneous MSU-affiliated dance publications 1965-2001	4138	31
Miscellaneous non-MSU-affiliated dance publications 1968-1993	4138	32
Musical programs 1987-2002	4138	33
Student dance concert programs, 1977 - 1988. 1977-1988	4138	34
Student dance concert programs, 1997 - 2003. 1997-2003	4138	35
Wharton Center for Performing Arts performance schedules 1986-1993	4140	2
Photographs
	Box	Folder
"Alexandra" Circa 1950s	4139	1
"A Stitch in Time" dance concert 1997	4138	37
"Children's Dance Tour" 1976	4138	38
"Conjazzcierto" 1978-1979	4138	39
"Courtships" 1975	4138	40
"Crazy Quilt" 1978-1979	4138	41
"Dance Concert for Young People" 1978	4138	42
"Existdance" 1973	4138	43
"Figure Valante" 1986	4138	44
"Ha'penny" 1972	4138	45
"Hope for the Flowers" 1978	4138	46
"In the Swing of Things" 1986	4138	47
"I think it's Gonna Rain" 1994	4138	48
"Jumping in the Red" 1978	4138	49
"The King and I" 1968	4138	50
"Last Call" 1992	4138	51
Master Class in Dance 1968	4138	52
"Michigan Dream" 1955	4138	53
"Nickels from my Notion Socks" Circa 1970	4138	54
"No Man Can Waltz Alone" 1968	4138	55
"Off the Walls" 2000	4138	56
"On Blackness" 1970	4138	57
"One Lamb" 1975	4138	58
"Piaf!" 1992	4138	59
"Rendition and Resonance" 1986	4138	60
"Ricco's Party" 1969	4138	61
"Rikalda" 1978	4138	62
"Sincerely Yours" 1994	4138	63
"Spacetime Within Without" 1986	4138	64
"Spiritual" 1956	4138	65
"Spring Sonata" 1986	4138	66
"Strummin'" 1975	4138	67
"Ten Till Dew" 2000	4138	68
"There is a Time" 1967	4138	69
"This Flock" 2000	4138	70
"007" 1987	4138	71
Orchesis
	Box	Folder
Group pictures Circa	4138	77
Paired dancers 1966-1968	4138	78
Women's group Circa 1940s	4138	79
Women's group 1967	4138	80
Individual dancers 1970-1975 Sheila Dales Al Davis Tama Herrick Judy Murph	4138	81
Justine Springer 1968	4138	82
Mary Lou Stack 1973-1975	4138	83
Susan Ischino Circa 1970	4138	84
Suzanne Porsine 1965-1968	4138	85
Toby Towson 1970	4138	86
Debbie Vogel and John Howard 1974	4138	87
Performances
	Box	Folder
1956-1966 Bell Ringers Program "Music of Paris" "The Picnic"	4138	72
Circa 1950s "Cuban Xmas" "Solid Living Face"	4138	73
1970-1978 "Blood Wedding" "Bluegrass Suite" "Bruegel Bruegel" "The Cycle" "Krutnava" "Lunar Muse" "Men's Blues" "Peter and the Wolf" "PIllows" "Shakes" "Still Point in Time" "Suite de Percussion"	4138	74
1992-1994 "Flickers" "Freddy and His Kentucky Fiddle" "Paris Talks"	4138	75
2000-2002 "Fences" "What's Remembered"	4138	76
Repertory Dance Company
	Box	Folder
Group pictures 1977-1978	4138	88
Group pictures 1980-1988	4138	89
Group pictures 2006	4138	104
Paired dancers 1980-1988	4138	90
Individual dancers 1976 Linda Abernathy Cheryl Herrick Tamara Herrick John Howard Debbie Pollack Debbie Vogel Carolyn Webb Jerry Zaya Two unidentified	4138	91
Individual dancers 1977-1979 Diane Amalfitano Kay Eberly Karen Epstein Lisa Green Eric Johnson Jeanette Leabu Tom Morris Gayle Stern Charles Wallace Three unidentified	4138	92
Individual dancers Circa 1970s Angela L. Gullet Jennifer Lane Sally McGurrin Laurie Spirak	4138	93
Individual dancers 1980-1984 Renee Arnold Amy Carrington Dianne Emerson Lisa Geoffrey Ingrid Gunderson Rebecca Levin Mary Moss O'Mara Mary Spaniola Carrie (?)	4138	94
Individual dancers 1985-1988 L'Tonya Braceful Dean Burkland Troy Greenfield Richard Klann Marlo Koons Kurt Kula Carol Marcinkowski Wendy Milnar Brandy Nancy Michelle Procta Susan Scarlet	4138	95
Unidentified dancers 1980-1988	4138	96
Rebecca Basinsky 1986-1988	4138	97
La Donna Beamon 1976	4138	98
Debbie Bible 1981	4138	99
Larry Buck 1977-1978	4138	100
Tameica Cardwell 1986-1988	4138	101
Cathy De Ronne 1988-1989	4138	102
Lisa Fitzgerald 1980-1983	4139	1
Dana Greer 1978-1980	4139	2
Susan Meier 1983-1987	4139	3
Lisa Richter 1983	4139	4
Deborah Roth 1982	4139	5
Rory Schafield 1977	4139	6
Barbara B. Smith 1978-1980	4139	7
Laurie Spivak 1980	4139	8
Irit Tamir 1986-1987	4139	9
Mark Taylor 1987-1988	4139	10
Susan Trainor 1981	4139	11
Patricia Vizzacero 1980-1983	4139	12
Deidra Williams 1981	4139	13
	Box	Folder
Christmas Card photographs to Dixie Durr 1982-1983	4139	14
Contact sheets 1963-1980	4139	15
"Dance Magazine" cover photo Undated	4138	103
Dixie Durr 1980-1997	4139	16
Dance, group pictures 1965-1975	4139	17
Dance rehearsal
	Box	Folder
Circa 1950s	4139	18
1967-1968	4139	19
1969	4139	20
1970-1971	4139	21
1975-1979	4139	22
Circa 1970s	4139	23
	Box	Folder
Posed action Circa 1950s	4139	24
Posed dance movement photographs Circa 1950s	4139	25
Unidentified dance recitals
	Box	Folder
Circa 1950s	4139	26
1968-1969	4139	27
1970	4139	28
1971	4139	29
1972	4139	30
1975-1976	4139	31
1977	4139	32
1978	4139	33
1979	4139	34
Circa 1970s	4139	35
	Box	Folder
Unidentified Orchesis recitals Circa 1970s	4139	36
Unidentified performances Circa 1950s	4139	37
Unidentified performances 1966-1970	4139	38
Unidentified performances 1970-1977	4139	39
Unidentified rehearsal and performance 1959	4139	40
Oversized photographs
	Box	Folder
Oversized performance photographs 1967-1980	4140	3
Slides 1970-1998
	Box	Folder
"Brigadoon" slides Undated	4139	41
	Box	Box
"Guys and Dolls" slides 1987	4139	42
	Box	Folder
"The Pirates of Penzance" slides 1989	4139	43
Slides binder 1, 1975-1978 , part 1 February 1975	4139	44
Slides binder 1 1975-1978, part 2-3 1976	4139	45-46
Slides binder 1 1975-1978, part 4, "Children's Concert," 1977	4139	47
Slides binder 1 1975-1978, part 5, "Children's Concert," 1978	4139	48
Slides binder 2 1972-1975, part 1 August 1972	4139	49
Slides binder 2 1972-1975, part 2-3 1973	4139	50-51
Slides binder 2 1972-1975, part 4-7 1974	4139	52-55
Slides binder 2 1972-1975, part 8 1975	4139	56
Slides binder 3 1976-1978, part 1-2 1976	4139	57-58
Slides binder 3 1976-1978, part 3 April and May 1976	4139	59
Slides binder 3 1976-1978, part 4-5 Spring 1977	4139	60-61
Slides binder 3 1976-1978, part 6-7 May 1978	4139	62-63
Slides binder 4 1973-1983, part 1 May 1973	4139	64
Slides binder 4 1973-1983, part 2 January 1979	4139	65
Slides binder 4 1973-1983 part 3, April 1974 - March 1986.	4139	66
Slides binder 4 1973-1983, part 4 February 1980	4139	67
Slides binder 4 1973-1983, part 5 February and September 1981.	4139	68
Slides binder 4 1973-1983, part 6, February 1983	4139	69
Slides binder 5 ca. 1990-1998, part 1-2 Circa 1990s	4139	70-71
Slides binder 5 ca. 1990-1998, part 3 February 1994	4139	72
Slides binder 5 ca. 1990-1998, part 4 1997-1998	4140	73

Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections

Dixie Durr Papers UA.17.264

Table of Contents

Summary Information

Preferred Citation

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents note

Administrative Information

Publication Information

Conditions Governing Access

Legal Status

Conditions Governing Use

Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

Genre(s)

Subject(s)

Collection Inventory

Academic materials 1950-2006

Dance Workshops and Companies

Performances and programs

Photographs

Oversized photographs

Slides 1970-1998

Dixie Durr Papers
UA.17.264