Maryland Dance Theater Collection

Abstract

Important Information for Users of the Collection

Historical Note

Maryland Dance Theater performed contemporary dance in the DC and Baltimore metro areas from 1971 to 1988. Its repertory embraced a wide variety of movement, styles, and theatrical concepts, and provided dance education through lecture demonstrations and master classes. The company was founded on the University of Maryland campus in 1971 by Director Dr. Dorothy Madden, the first Chair of the Department of Dance at the University of Maryland, and by Associate Director Larry Warren, Professor of Dance at the university.

Born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, Dr. Madden received her Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College, her Master of Arts from Syracuse University, and her PhD from New York University. She studied dance in New York, Washington, DC, Boston, Tokyo, and London, and danced in Washington with several companies including The Chamber Dance Group, Children's Dance Theatre and the companies of Pola Nirenska and Ethel Butler. She was Professor Emerita of the University of Maryland, and Doctor Honoris Causa from the Federacion Francaise de Danse in Paris. Dr. Madden was also the author of You Call Me Louis, Not Mr. Horst. Dr. Madden died in 2009.

In 1976, Larry Warren became Co-director of the company. From 1977 until 1988, Mr. Warren assumed direction, with Anne Warren serving as Rehearsal Director and later as Associate Director. Both professors at the University of Maryland, Mr. and Mrs. Warren acted as choreographers (and she as a principal dancer) for the company in performances throughout the Mid-Atlantic states. It was under their direction that the Maryland Dance Theater earned national recognition, becoming one of the few companies selected for the National Endowment for the Arts Touring Program.

Mr. Warren was Professor at the University of Maryland until 1995, and was Professor Emeritus until his death in 2009. He authored biographies on Lester Horton and Anna Sokolow, the latter of which was awarded a special citation from Dance Perspectives. Mrs. Warren is Associate Chair of the Dance Department and Director of Undergraduate Dance Studies at the University if Maryland. In 1986, the Warrens jointly received the Maryland Dance Council's Outstanding Service to Dance in Maryland Award. They were also the recipients of the 2000-2001 Pola Nirenska Lifetime Achievement Award in Dance, presented by the Washington Performing Arts Society. In 1987, Mrs. Warren earned the Arts Achievement Award in Dance from Wayne State University.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Maryland Dance Theater Collection covers the period from 1965 to 1994; the bulk of the materials date from 1973-1988. The collection contains press clippings, newsletters, programs, correspondence, publicity materials, reviews, financial records, and photographs outlining the company's history.

Custodial History and Acquisition Information

Gift of Maryland Dance Theater, Inc., Professors Lawrence and Anne W. Warren, principals, March 1995.

Processing Information

Arrangement of Collection

This collection is comprised of nine series.

• Series 1: Clippings
• Series 2: Newsletters
• Series 3: Correspondenc
  • Subseries 3.1: Professional
  • Subseries 3.2: Letters of Gratitude
• Series 4: Programs
• Series 5: Publicity
  • Subseries 5.1: Writings
  • Subseries 5.2: Brochures and Posters
  • Subseries 5.3: Accompanying Performance Materials
• Series 6: Criticism
• Series 7: History and Records
• Series 8: Financial
• Series 9: Photographs
  • Subseries 9.1: Choreography
  • Subseries 9.2: Miscellaneous

Detailed Description of the Collection