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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

Published reviews and articles

The majority of this series is comprised of newspaper and magazine articles containing reviews of performances which Ruth participated in and, later, produced. Publications include: the “Boston Herald”, “Lexington Minute-Man”, “Wellesley Townsman”, “Boston Globe”, “Cambridge Chronical”, “Dance Observer”, “Village Voice”, “The New York Times”, “Show Business”, “New York Herald Tribune”, “Dance Magazine”, “Christian Science Monitor”, “Champaign-Urbana Courier”, “Daily Illini”, Seattle Times”, “Seattle Post-Intelligencer”, “Champaign-Urbana News Gazette”, “The Peak”, “Georgia Straight”, “Contact Quarterly”, “Radcliffe News”, and the “Vancouver Sun”.

Ruth Emerson Wortis biographical information

This series consists of biographical information for Ruth Emerson Wortis compiled by the donor. This includes: a copy of the obituary written by Michael Wortis including photocopies of images used, a resume, and a comprehensive list of performances, dances choreographed by Ruth, publications and reviews.

Programs and flyers

This series consists of promotional materials (flyers, posters, mailings, and some newspaper clippings) and programs of Ruth’s performances over the years. It is possible not only to trace the genesis and evolution of certain pieces, but the breadth of detail in the records serves to contextualize Ruth’s path geographically, stylistically, and professionally among her peers. Beginning with her initial performances with The Dancemakers to her work with the Judson Dance Theatre, her training abroad and graduate studies, her career in dance education and through to her efforts to coordinate community engagement in dance, it is possible to view Ruth’s career through these materials based on the depth of her participation and involvement. In some cases there are multiple copies of the same item.

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.

Writings and correspondence

This series consists primarily of Ruth’s correspondence regarding certain dance pieces, her personal notes and writings, or articles she authored for publication.

Ruth Emerson Wortis performances and interviews

This series is comprised of two 3-disc collections titled "Ruth Emerson: Her Vancouver & SFU Years". They were produced by the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University and contain several recorded performances and interviews conducted over a 9 year period.

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