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Simon Fraser University Special Collections and Rare Books Ruth Emerson Wortis fonds
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Ruth Emerson Wortis fonds

  • MsC-185
  • Fonds
  • 1957 - 2018

Ruth Emerson Wortis was a pioneer of modern dance, as well as a prolific choreographer, performer and dance educator. She was one of the founding members of the Judson Dance Group, which itself is credited for the rise of the Postmodern dance movement. This fonds follows the development of Ruth’s career through an extensive collection of performance programs, photographs, music scores, publications and reviews, choreographic materials such as dance and movement scores, and both personal and professional notes. Also seen is the effect of Ruth’s academic and teaching career on her dancing style as, over the years, she shifts slightly from the avant-garde for performance sake towards breaking down gender stereotypes in dance education by encouraging dance for movement’s sake to children and community groups.
This fonds contains seven identifiable distinct series. Series 1: Dance, movement and music scores (1957-2002); Series 2: Photographs (1957-1991); Series 3: Flyers and programs (1959-2002); Series 4: Published reviews and articles (1959-2001); Series 5: Writings and correspondence (1978-2001); Series 6: Ruth Emerson Wortis biographical information (2015-2017); and Series 7: Ruth Emerson Wortis performances and interviews (1989-1998).

Emerson Wortis, Ruth

Dance, movement and music scores

This series represents a collection of dance scores and choreographic materials compiled throughout Ruth’s career. Some are for single events while others show the growth and evolution of pieces as they are adapted over the years for different venues, groups or types of dances, and to the audiences for which they are performed.

Photographs

This series consists of prints (some mounted), negatives and slides - both professional and amateur shots - of various performances and rehearsals. Some artistic photo shoots are also included. In many instances exact dates are not known but a general guess by the donor is provided.

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