KATHERINE DUNHAM
June 22, 1909 - May 21, 2006
"When you have faith in something, it's your reason to be alive and to fight for it."
-- Katherine Dunham
SELECTED CHRONOLOGY
June 22, 1909: Katherine Mary Dunham is born in Chicago, Illinois to Albert M. Dunham and Fanny June Dunham.
1928: She begins to study ballet with Ludmilla Speranzeva, Vera Mirova, Mark Turbyfill and Ruth Page.
1929: K.D. enters the University of Chicago.
1941: Katherine Dunham marries John Pratt
1943: Impresario Sol Hurok presents Katherine Dunham and her company in "Tropical Revue", which opens at New York's Martin Beck Theater and then tours nationally until 1945
1944: Dunham School of Dance and Theater, later known as the Katherine Dunham School of Arts and Research, opens in Caravan Hall in New York City; in 1945, the school moves to West 43rd Street, where it operates until 1957
1947 - 49: First tours of Mexico and Europe
1950 - 55: Dunham Company tours South America, Europe and North Africa; premieres her ballet "Southland" at the Teatro Municipal in Santiago, Chile, in 1951
1956 - 58: Tours Australia, New Zealand and Japan
1959 - 60: Third European tour; Dunham Company disbands, although it will occasionally regroup for special performances
1964: Becomes an artist-in-residence at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; retires in 1982
1967: Performing Arts Training Center founded in East St. Louis, Illinois
1972: Performs Scott Joplin's "Treemonisha" in Atlanta (GA) with the Symphony Orchestra
1979: Katherine Dunham Museum and Children's Workshop opens in East St. Louis, Illinois
Katherine Dunham Gala at Carnegie Hall, where she receives the Albert Schweizer Music Award
1983: Receives Kennedy Centers Honors Award
1984: Dunham Technique Seminars begins in East St. Louis, Illinis
1986: Dunham's husband and aritic collaborator, John Pratt, dies
1988: Featured in Atlanta during the first annual National Black Arts Festival (NBAF). Invites Carol (Harris) Lloyd to East St. Louis, and gives the rights to the formation of the Dunham Institute-Atlanta.
1990: Receives honorary doctorate (along with Pearl Primus) from Spelman College, Atlanta (GA)
1996: Katherine Dunham makes (what ends up being) her final appearance in Atlanta for the National Black Arts Festival. Jeanelle Stovall and Kati Stovall visit Centennial Olympic Park to see the commemorative "Katherine Dunham -- Dance Legend" brick.
2000: Named one of "America's Irreplaceable Dance Treasures" by the Dance Heritage Coaltion
2005: In January, Jeanelle Stovall, lifelong administrator of 37 years dies in New York after a brief illness. Memorial servies are held in New York (NY), East St. Louis (IL), and her hometown of Atlanta (GA)
Assisted by Carol Lloyd and Albirda Rose, on June 25 - July 2, Miss Dunham presents her final International Dunham Technique Seminar in East St. Louis, Illinois. Despite the many challenges presented, this proves to be a banner year for the Seminar (22nd Annual). Necessary funding is received from the Illinois Arts Council, and certified instructors provide much needed support and sacrifices for the benefit of Miss Dunham.
Miss Dunham's private residence in East St. Louis is completely renovated with Al Phillips, Bill Mason & Ted Wofford as the project leaders.
2006: May 21 marks the day in history that Katherine Dunham makes her transition.
"A Day of Reflection" begins with ceremonies beginning in New York and spanning the globe. Subsequent to this, special tributes occur in Detroit Michigan (Detroit Legacy Project); Atlanta, GA (She Lives) and New York (Dedicated to Dunham).
2007: "Preserving the Legacy: Into the Light" focuses on organizations and individuals preserving the Dunham legacy through performance, lecture/demos and work in the community.
Dunham Technique Board of Certification (CA) meets to plan initiatives for the future under the direction of Albirda Rose.
Founded in 1989
| Seminar photos, Scott Lokitz | Photographic Artist | @2005 |
@2005 - 2007 www.katherinedunham.org All Rights Reserved.
Dunham Institute-Atlanta, Inc. | P.O. Box 361780 | Decatur, GA 30036-1780
Luminaries
Luminaries
Alvin Ailey
Talley Beatty
Ruth Beckford
Julie Robinson Belafonte
Marlon Brando
Joan Myers Brown
Janet Collins
James Dean
Doris Duke
Lucille Ellis
Clifford Fears
Syvilla Fort
Peter Gennaro
Tommy Gomez
Geoffrey Holder
Eartha Kitt
Claude Marchant
Butterfly McQueen
Charles Mingus
Arthur Mitchell
Lenwood Morris
Joan Peters
Pearl Reynolds
Carmencita Romero
Donald Saddler
Archie Savage
Mark Turbyfill
Glory Van Scott
Lavinia Williams
Ned Williams
Ural Wilson
Some were students, others were teachers. Like Dunham, through their pioneering efforts they have nurtured and mentored countless students, individuals and communities. The common thread they all share is a special light and gift that empowers them to illuminate the dance world forever. The list includes (but is not limited) to the following:
Percussionists
Francisco Aguabello
C. K. Ganyo
Albert Laguerre
Chano Pozo
Mor Thiam
Gilbert Valdes
Dunham Schools
[Excerpted from "Kaiso" Writings by and About Katherine Dunham]
A Dunham school was first established in Chicago in 1934.
It did not exist with continuity, however, until 1944, when it was re-opened in New York in Caravan Hall.
It moved in 1945 to 220 West 43rd Street. From studies in dance, speech, drama, and allied theater techniques, the school expanded in 1952 into the Katherine Dunham School of Cultural Arts.
From 1957 until November 1962, the training in Dunham Technique and allied techniques of dancing was confined to the performing company with limited apprentices and master classes wherever stationed (Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Near and Far East, Europe, etc.).
A brief attempt at a school in Port-au-Prince Haiti, proved impractical under existing economic and political conditions in that country.
We have now found what could be considered an ideal permanent location and have been at 440 West 42nd Street since 1964. The present school will now attempt a staff proportioned as that of West 43rd Street. Exposure to allied education will be through guidance to other sources, with occasional lectures and films on related subjects.
We have access to a small theater in the same building and will encourage frequent student performances as well as appearances of professionals prepared at least partially.
--Katherine Dunham
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A magnet for talent and gifts, throughout the course of her lifetime, Katherine Dunham worked with many individuals who either assisted her in her journey through dance and/or received specialized training from Miss Dunham.
