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James Kelly Choreography Project memorabilia

 Collection
Identifier: Dance-MS-Kelly

Scope and Content of the Collection

Small collection of printed materials and videocassettes. Includes an invitation, three newsletters, four posters, a press kit, and two programs. The videos include a concert demo in 1993 and excerpts from the Project repertoire, and a dance performance at the Harold Washington Library in 1995.

Dates

  • Creation: 1993-1997

Creator

Language

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The James Kelly Choreography Project memorabilia are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room (Priority III).

Audiovisual recordings in this collection have not been digitized and are unavailable for use at this time.

Ownership and Literary Rights

The James Kelly Choreography Project memorabilia are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections at reference@newberry.org.

Biography of James Kelly

American dancer and choreographer.

James Kelly was raised in San Diego, and received an MFA in dance from the University of California-Irvine and an MFA from the United States University in San Diego. Living in Chicago, Kelly worked as ballet master of the Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre and served on the faculties of Lou Conte’s Dance Studio, the Chicago Academy of the Arts and as guest instructor for Hubbard Street Dance Company.

Kelly’s choreographic work debuted at the Giordano Dance Center in 1991, and subsequently his groups of dancers performed at the Ruth Page Theatre in 1992 and 1993, the Harold Washington Library Auditorium in 1995 and 1996, as part of Dance Chicago 97 at the Atheneum, at Northwestern University and at the annual AIDS benefit, “Dance for Life”.

James Kelly’s strong affinity for Mexico led to periods of living and working in Mexico City, where, since 1997, he has been associated with the Campania Nacional de Danza, choreographing and/or staging musical shows.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (1 box)

Abstract

Native San Diegan dancer James Kelly worked in Chicago from 1990 to 1997 as founder and artistic director of the James Kelly Choreography Project, establishing a company whose style was a blend of jazz, ballet and contemporary dance. Small collection of printed memorabilia includes newsletters, posters, programs, and a press kit. Also, four videocassettes of local performances.

Arrangement

Arranged by type of material.

Collection Stack Location

3a 48 8

Provenance

Gift, James Kelly, 1997.

Processed by

Virginia Hay Smith, 2009.

Title
Inventory of the James Kelly Choreography Project memorabilia, 1993-1997
Status
Completed
Author
Virginia Hay Smith
Date
©2009.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
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