Meriam Rosen Papers
Abstract
A choreographer, dancer, and professor, Meriam Levine Rosen (born 1927) taught modern dance at the University of Maryland from 1954 until her retirement in 2009. An active participant in the Washington, D.C.-area performing arts community, Rosen founded and directed Improvisations Unlimited, a university-based improvisational dance company; conducted and participated in workshops, festivals, and master classes; choreographed works performed by dancers both in the United States and abroad; and helped establish the University of Maryland's Department of Dance. The collection consists of materials related to Rosen's career as a dancer, choreographer, and professor, including correspondence, awards and certificates, University of Maryland Department of Dance materials, performance programs and related publicity materials, grant applications, articles and reviews, photographs, video tapes, audio cassettes, and CDs.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
There are some restricted items in this collection. All restricted items have been moved to Box 18; facsimiles with sensitive material redacted are integrated into the rest of the collection.
Meriam Rosen Papers, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Contact the curator for an appointment: http://www.lib.umd.edu/scpa/contact
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
Meriam "Mim" Rosen is a modern dance choreographer and Professor Emerita at the University of Maryland, College Park. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on April 27, 1927, Rosen (née Levine) studied ballet until entering the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The university did not offer ballet classes, so she began studying modern dance. She graduated in 1948 with a B.S. in physical education and a minor in dance. Rosen remained in Illinois until 1953, where she taught dance at the affiliated University High School.
In 1954, she began working at the University of Maryland, College Park as a modern dance instructor. In 1955, Rosen left the university and joined the staff of Mount Vernon Junior College in Washington, D.C., where she was Instructor of Dance and Head of Physical Education. She remained at Mount Vernon until 1961. In 1962, she returned to the University of Maryland as Guest Lecturer and Acting Head of the Dance Program within the Department of Physical Education. In 1965, she received an M.A. in Theater from the university, focusing on modern dance. When the Department of Dance was created in 1967, Rosen was promoted to Assistant Professor. She served as Acting Chair of the department from 1969 to 1970, and in 1988 she became a full professor.
In addition to her university training, Rosen's career as a dancer was cultivated at the Humphrey-Weidman Studio in New York, under Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman, and at the Connecticut College School for the Dance, under Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, José Límon, and Louis Horst. In 1956, she and three other dancers founded Dance Quartet, for which she both danced and choreographed; one of the company's goals was to make modern dance accessible within schools and colleges. She also performed with the Ethel Butler Studio.
As a choreographer, Rosen explored improvisational dance in addition to more traditional modern dance technique. In 1978, Rosen founded Improvisations Unlimited, a university-based company that performed extensively and conducted workshops for dancers and community members until its dissolution in 1992. In recognition of her contributions to the modern dance community, Rosen was awarded the Pola Nirenska Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2004 by the Washington Performing Arts Society, the Maryland Council for Dance Award for Outstanding Service to Dance in 2007, and the Dance Place Dance Educators Award, also in 2007. Rosen, currently Professor Emerita at the University of Maryland, retired in 2009.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Meriam Rosen Papers cover the period from 1942 to 2009; the bulk of the materials date from 1956 to 2008. The collection consists of both personal and professional papers including correspondence, awards and certificates, University of Maryland Department of Dance materials, performance programs and related publicity materials, grant applications, articles and reviews, photographs, video tapes, audio cassettes, and CDs. Materials pertain to Meriam Rosen's career as a dancer, choreographer, and professor, including her work at the University of Illinois, Mount Vernon Junior College, and the University of Maryland; with the Improvisations Unlimited dance company; as a leader and participant in local, regional, and national festivals and workshops; and as a an active artist within the Washington, D.C. area.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Gift of Meriam Rosen, received in five shipments from 2008 to 2009. Some materials have been transferred to the Improvisations Unlimited Collection.
Processing Information
Cassandra N. Berman.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Cassandra N. Berman, October 2010.
Arrangement of Collection
This collection is organized into ten series.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Personal, 1945-2008 and undated (0.50 linear feet)
This series contains Meriam Rosen's personal materials, including records, clippings, correspondence, writing, and awards. While many of these documents reflect Rosen's professional career, they are primarily related to her life as an individual, rather than her life as a faculty member or company director. Other useful personal records may be found in other series, such as resumes integrated into grant applications in Series 6. Materials are arranged first by subject, then by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education, 1945-2008 and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Writing, 1963-1975 and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Resumes and Dossier, 1964-1990 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Organizational Memberships and Service, 1975-2007 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Certificates and Awards (Note: Also see Oversized Materials, housed separately in Box 19.), 1949-2007 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Personal Clippings, 1947-1957 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Personal Correspondence (Note: See Oversized Materials, housed separately in Box 19.), 1969-2008 and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Decorations, undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Certificates and Awards, 1949-2007 | series 1 | box 19 | folder 1 | |
| Decorations, undated | series 1 | box 19 | folder 2 | |
Series 2: University of Maryland, 1956-2009 and undated (1.00 linear foot)
This series contains materials related to the University of Maryland and to Meriam Rosen's tenure there. Rosen began her career at the university as Special Lecturer and Instructor in the Department of Physical Education (1962-1967), became Assistant Professor in the Department of Dance in 1967, and was promoted to full Professor in 1988. She served as Acting Chair of the Department of Dance (1969-1970) and Coordinator of the Visiting Artists Program; this series contains materials related to these different roles, as well as materials related to the Department of Dance, the Visiting Artists Program, and other university materials. This series has been divided into four subseries, which are arranged by subject, then by date.
Subseries 2.1: Department of Dance, 1956-2006 and undated (4 folders)
This subseries contains records related to and produced by the Department of Dance, and materials pertaining to Rosen's tenure within it. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department Materials, 1956-1987 and undated | series 2.1 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence, 1956-2001 | series 2.1 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Rosen Promotions, 1980-1986 | series 2.1 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| Rosen Sabbatical, 1979-2006 | series 2.1 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
Subseries 2.2: Courses, 1958-1992 and undated (4 folders)
This subseries contains lecture notes, syllabi, and readings related to Rosen's courses at the university, as well as student papers. The materials are arranged by subject and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dance History, undated | series 2.2 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Ritual in Life and Dance, undated | series 2.2 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Representations of Women in Dance, 1991-1992 | series 2.2 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| Other Courses, 1958-1981 and undated | series 2.2 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
Subseries 2.3: Residencies and Visiting Artists Program, 1958-2009 and undated (13 folders)
This subseries contains materials related to choreographers' participation in the Department of Dance's Residencies and Visiting Artists Program, including student audition materials, rehearsal notes, performance programs, and student assessments. (For artistic collaborations that occurred outside of the Residencies and Visiting Artists Program, see Series 3.) This subseries is arranged by artist and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucas Hoving, 1958 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| Kei Takei, 1981 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| Chris Rhinehart, 1981-1982 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| Visiting Artists Performance Workshop, 1996 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| Joe Goode, 1996-2006 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| Ed Tyler, 1996-2006 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
| Terry Creach, 1998-1999 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| Mark Haim, 1999-2002 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| Gesel Mason, 2000-2001 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 9 | |
| Pearson/Widrig, 2000-2001 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 10 | |
| Tere OConnor, 2008 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 11 | |
| Victoria Marks, 2009 | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 12 | |
| John Jaspers and Donna Uchizono, undated | series 2.3 | box 3 | folder 13 | |
Subseries 2.4: Other University of Maryland Materials, 1979-2002 (3 folders)
This subseries contains records related to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, home to the Department of Dance since 2000, and to the university libraries. Also included is paper ephemera related to the university and the Department of Dance. Materials are arranged by subject and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, 1996-2001 | series 2.4 | box 3 | folder 14 | |
| Libraries, 2000-2002 | series 2.4 | box 3 | folder 15 | |
| Paper Ephemera (Note: These materials were recycled, used as scrap papers for pasting clippings.), 1979-1989 | series 2.4 | box 3 | folder 16 | |
Series 3: Artistic Collaborations, 1942-2009 and undated (0.50 linear feet)
This series contains materials related to Rosen's artistic collaborations outside of the Visiting Artists Program (for these materials, see Subseries 2.3, University of Maryland Residencies and Visiting Artists Program). Materials are arranged chronologically by person or event.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethel Butler, 1942-1968 and undated | series 3 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| Louis Horst, 1953-1963 and undated | series 3 | box 4 | folder 2 | |
| Dorothy Madden, 1957-2009 | series 3 | box 4 | folder 3 | |
| Kei Takei, 1980-2000 | series 3 | box 4 | folder 4 | |
| Bob Gibson, 1984 | series 3 | box 4 | folder 5 | |
| Collaboration with Opera Savage Land, 1991-1992 | series 3 | box 4 | folder 6 | |
Series 4: Companies, circa 1957-2008 and undated (0.50 linear feet)
This series contains materials related to dance companies in which Rosen danced, or for which Rosen directed and choreographed, including programs and publicity materials, reviews, correspondence, and notes. For photographs related to these companies and their performances, please see Series 10. For more on Improvisations Unlimited, please see the Improvisations Unlimited Collection. This series has been divided into three subseries, which are arranged by subject and by date.
Subseries 4.1: Dance Quartet, 1957-1961 and undated (3 folders)
This subseries is comprised of materials related to Dance Quartet, a modern dance company comprised of Rosen, Virginia Freeman, William Hug, and Patricia Wityk. Members both danced and choreographed for the company. This subseries is arranged by subject and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programs and Publicity Materials, 1957-1960 | series 4.1 | box 5 | folder 1 | |
| Articles, Reviews, Clippings, 1957-1961 | series 4.1 | box 5 | folder 2 | |
| Rehearsal Notes, undated | series 4.1 | box 5 | folder 3 | |
Subseries 4.2: Dance/Theater Works, 1986-1990 (2 folders)
This subseries contains materials related to Dance/Theater Works. Founded in 1979, this was a loosely organized "pick-up" company that performed Rosen's works, primarily outside the University of Maryland community. It is arranged by subject and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Correspondence and Company Information, 1986-1990 | series 4.2 | box 5 | folder 4 | |
| Programs and Publicity Materials, 1986-1990 | series 4.2 | box 5 | folder 5 | |
Subseries 4.3: Improvisations Unlimited, circa 1978-2008 and undated (6 folders)
This subseries contains materials related to Improvisations Unlimited, a University of Maryland-based company founded by Rosen in 1978. Rosen also served as its director and choreographer until the company disbanded in 1992. Researchers should be sure to consult the Improvisations Unlimited Collection, which contains the bulk of materials related to the company. Materials within this collection were included in Rosen's personal papers. This subseries is arranged by subject and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company Information, circa 1978, 1992 | series 4.3 | box 5 | folder 6 | |
| Programs, 1982-1992 | series 4.3 | box 5 | folder 7 | |
| Publicity Materials, undated | series 4.3 | box 5 | folder 8 | |
| Sketches, 1982 | series 4.3 | box 5 | folder 9 | |
| Articles, Reviews, Clippings, 1978-1989 | series 4.3 | box 5 | folder 10 | |
| Alumni, 2005-2008 and undated | series 4.3 | box 5 | folder 11 | |
Series 5: Festivals, Workshops, Master Classes, 1955-2007 and undated (0.50 linear feet)
This series contains documents related to festivals, workshops, and master classes in which Rosen participated as a choreographer, teacher, or coordinator, or in which University of Maryland students or Rosen's companies participated. Materials in this series pertain to local, state, regional, national, and international festivals, workshops, and master classes. Many of the organizations also awarded grants; please see Series 6 for additional information. For photographs, please Series 10. This subseries has been divided into two subseries, which are arranged by festival and by date.
Subseries 5.1: Festivals, 1955-2007 and undated (6 folders)
This subseries is made up of materials related to festivals in which Rosen, her students, or her companies participated. It is arranged by festival and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Dance Festival, 1955-1982 | series 5.1 | box 6 | folder 1 | |
| CityDance/Washington Performing Arts Society, 1979-1988 | series 5.1 | box 6 | folder 2 | |
| Dance '83, 1983 | series 5.1 | box 6 | folder 3 | |
| American College Dance Festival Association/Mid-Atlantic Regional Dance Festival, 1983-2001 | series 5.1 | box 6 | folder 4 | |
| Choreographers' Showcase, 1985-2002 and undated | series 5.1 | box 6 | folder 5 | |
| Maryland Council for Dance State Festival, 1991-2007 and undated | series 5.1 | box 6 | folder 6 | |
| National College Choreography Initiative/Dance USA, 2002-2006 | series 5.1 | box 6 | folder 7 | |
Subseries 5.2: Workshops/Master Classes, 1968-1996 and undated (8 folders)
This subseries contains materials related to workshops and master classes (including residencies) in which Rosen, her students, or her companies participated. It is arranged by workshop/master class and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workshops Other, 1973-1985 | series 5.2 | box 6 | folder 8 | |
| Lafayette School Third Grade Improvisation Workshop, 1968 | series 5.2 | box 6 | folder 8 | |
| Metropolitan Association of Dance, 1973 | series 5.2 | box 6 | folder 9 | |
| Center for Contemporary Dance, 1978 and undated | series 5.2 | box 6 | folder 10 | |
| University High School at University of Illinois Demonstration, 1984-1985 | series 5.2 | box 6 | folder 11 | |
| Duke University Residency, 1992-1993 | series 5.2 | box 6 | folder 12 | |
| T Junction Workshop (in Vienna), 1992-1993 and undated | series 5.2 | box 6 | folder 13 | |
| University of Maryland Technology Conference, 1996 | series 5.2 | box 6 | folder 14 | |
Series 6: Grants, 1967-2006 (0.50 linear feet)
This series contains documents pertaining to grants awarded to Rosen throughout her career by the University of Maryland and by state and national organizations. Applications, award letters, recommendations, and resumes are included among the materials. Some documents contain restricted information; the original documents have been removed, and facsimiles with the restricted information redacted take their places. This series is arranged by organization and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland Creative and Performing Arts Grants (1 of 2), 1967-1994 | series 6 | box 7 | folder 1 | |
| University of Maryland Creative and Performing Arts Grants (2 of 2), 1994-2005 | series 6 | box 7 | folder 2 | |
| Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, 1980-1982 | series 6 | box 7 | folder 3 | |
| National Endowment for the Arts Grants, 1984-1992 | series 6 | box 7 | folder 4 | |
| D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities Grants, 1985-1992 | series 6 | box 7 | folder 5 | |
| National College Choreography Initiative/Doug Varone, 2002 | series 6 | box 7 | folder 6 | |
| Artist Fellowship Program, 2003 | series 6 | box 7 | folder 7 | |
| National College Choreography Initiative/Mark Haim, 2005-2006 | series 6 | box 7 | folder 8 | |
| American Masterpieces Dance Grant, undated | series 6 | box 7 | folder 9 | |
| Grant Application Materials Other, undated | series 6 | box 7 | folder 10 | |
Series 7: Works, 1959-2008 and undated (1.50 linear feet)
This series is comprised of materials related to works choreographed by Rosen or performed by Rosen's students, her companies, or by other artists with whom Rosen had significant ties. Many of these materials relate to the performing arts at the University of Maryland. This series has been divided into three subseries, which are arranged chronologically.
Subseries 7.1: University of Maryland, 1959-2008 and undated (5 folders)
This subseries contains programs and publicity materials related to performances by University of Maryland students or held at the University of Maryland. While most performances were by students in the Department of Dance, other departmentsincluding the Department of Theater and the Department of Musicare represented, as Rosen occasionally collaborated with them. Materials are organized chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programs (1 of 4), 1959-1987 | series 7.1 | box 8 | folder 1 | |
| Programs (2 of 4), 1987-2003 | series 7.1 | box 8 | folder 2 | |
| Programs (3 of 4), 2004-2008 | series 7.1 | box 8 | folder 3 | |
| Programs (4 of 4), undated | series 7.1 | box 8 | folder 4 | |
| Promotional Materials, 1963-2008 and undated | series 7.1 | box 8 | folder 5 | |
Subseries 7.2: Non-University of Maryland, 1965-2001 and undated (3 folders)
This series contains programs and publicity materials of performances not related to the University of Maryland, though many are related to Rosen's choreography. Other materials are related to performances by former students, performances featuring the work of choreographers and dancers with whom Rosen had artistic relationships, or performances held in the Washington, D.C. area. Materials are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programs (1 of 2), 1965-1989 | series 7.2 | box 9 | folder 1 | |
| Programs (2 of 2), 1990-2001 and undated | series 7.2 | box 9 | folder 2 | |
| Promotional Materials, 1980-2000 and undated | series 7.2 | box 9 | folder 3 | |
Subseries 7.3: Performances, 1968-2007 and undated (40 folders)
This subseries contains materials related to specific works choreographed by Rosen, including programs, notes, costume and set sketches, and reviews. This material was organized by Rosen to reflect each work; please check Subseries 7.2 and 7.3 for additional programs and publicity materials, Series 8 for articles, reviews, and clippings, Series 9 for performance photographs, and Series 10 for music used in performances. This subseries is arranged by subject or work and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Separations/Random Refractions, 1968 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 1 | |
| Dance Marathon, 1969 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 2 | |
| Peer Gynt (University Theatre), 1975 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 3 | |
| Past and Present, Imperfect, 1976 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 4 | |
| Party of Six, 1977-1979 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 5 | |
| Transparencies, 1978 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 6 | |
| Waiting, 1978-1980 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 7 | |
| Seven Dances Dance Concert, 1980 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 8 | |
| Dance Concert '81, 1981 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 9 | |
| Images/Larry Moss, 1982 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 10 | |
| Unfinished Business, 1982 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 11 | |
| Heavy Air/Endless Passage, 1982-2000 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 12 | |
| Trio, 1983-1984 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 13 | |
| Thaw, 1984-1986 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 14 | |
| Afterthoughts, 1984-1989 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 15 | |
| Faculty Dance: In Concert/Towers, 1986 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 16 | |
| Ancestral Memories (Including JMU Residency), 1986-1989 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 17 | |
| Impressiones Intimas, 1987 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 18 | |
| New Dance-New Music (with Leonard Moses), 1987 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 19 | |
| L'Histoire du Soldat (Maryland Twentieth Century Ensemble), 1988 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 20 | |
| Looking Back, 1988 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 21 | |
| Kennedy Center Performances, 1988-2007 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 22 | |
| Perlimplin (Maryland Opera Studio), 1989 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 23 | |
| Fierce Attachments, 1989-1996 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 24 | |
| Schizophrenic Girl, 1990 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 25 | |
| Remains, 1993 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 26 | |
| Remember, 1993-1995 | series 7.3 | box 10 | folder 27 | |
| Considering Ground, 1994 | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 1 | |
| Small Disturbances, 1995-1996 | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 2 | |
| Travelers at the Gate, 1996-1997 | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 3 | |
| After the Rain, Quiet, 1996-1998 | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 4 | |
| Departures, 1999 | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 5 | |
| Locked In/Bob & Bob, 1999 | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 6 | |
| Two, Sometimes Together (Duet/Bach), 1999 | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 7 | |
| Things Fall Apart/Relentless Memory, 2000-2001 | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 8 | |
| Anima, 2004 | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 9 | |
| How Long Brethren? (1 of 2), 2007 | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 10 | |
| How Long Brethren? (2 of 2), 2007 | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 11 | |
| Veiled Gathering, undated | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 12 | |
| Unidentified Performance Materials, undated | series 7.3 | box 11 | folder 13 | |
Series 8: Articles, Reviews, Clippings, 1961-1999 and undated (0.50 linear feet)
This series contains newspaper and magazine articles, articles from university publications, newspaper reviews by arts critics, and newspaper and magazine clippings, all related to Rosen's works or works by colleagues. This series is arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articles, Reviews, Clippings (1 of 4), 1961-1980 | series 8 | box 12 | folder 1 | |
| Articles, Reviews, Clippings (2 of 4), 1981-1987 | series 8 | box 12 | folder 2 | |
| Articles, Reviews, Clippings (3 of 4), 1988-1992 | series 8 | box 12 | folder 3 | |
| Articles, Reviews, Clippings (4 of 4), 1993-1999 and undated | series 8 | box 12 | folder 4 | |
Series 9: Photographs, circa 1965-2007 and undated (1.00 linear foot)
This series contains all photographs in the collection, which were removed from other series for preservation purposes. It has been divided into six subseries.
Subseries 9.1: People, 1980-1985 and undated (14 folders)
This subseries contains photographs featuring people with whom Rosen collaborated, as well as those with whom she had personal and professional relationships. This series is arranged alphabetically, which are arranged chronologically by subject when dates are known, alphabetically when not.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethel Butler, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 1 | |
| David Freivogel, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 2 | |
| Louis Horst, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 3 | |
| Dorothy Madden (Reunion), undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 4 | |
| Virginia Mason, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 5 | |
| Douglas Nielsen, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 6 | |
| Don Redlich, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 7 | |
| Kenneth Rinker, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 8 | |
| Meriam Rosen (with Unidentified Colleagues), undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 9 | |
| Kei Takei, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 10 | |
| Darryl Thomas, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 11 | |
| Ed Tyler, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 12 | |
| Dan Wagoner, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 13 | |
| Charles Weidman, undated | series 9.1 | box 13 | folder 14 | |
Subseries 9.2: Workshops and Festivals, 1956-circa 2000s (5 folders)
This subseries contains photographs taken during workshops and festivals in which Rosen was a participant. The corresponding records of these workshops can be found in Series 5. This subseries is arranged by festival and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Dance Festival, 1956-circa 1980s | series 9.2 | box 13 | folder 15 | |
| Lafayette School Workshop Third Grade Improvisation Workshop, 1978-1979 | series 9.2 | box 13 | folder 16 | |
| Improvisation Workshop at Hampshire College, 1978-1979 | series 9.2 | box 13 | folder 17 | |
| American College Dance Festival Association, 1990-circa 2000s | series 9.2 | box 13 | folder 18 | |
| T Junction Workshop (in Vienna), 1992 | series 9.2 | box 13 | folder 19 | |
Subseries 9.3: Works, 1968-2002 and undated (31 folders)
This subseries is comprised of photographs of Rosen's choreographed works. Other documents relating to these works are located in Series 7. It is arranged by work and by date.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Separations, 1968 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 20 | |
| Past and Present, Imperfect Primitive, 1976 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 21 | |
| Past and Present, Imperfect Egyptian, 1976 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 22 | |
| Past and Present, Imperfect The Choros, 1976 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 23 | |
| Past and Present, Imperfect Medieval, 1976 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 24 | |
| Past and Present, Imperfect Victorian, 1976 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 25 | |
| Past and Present, Imperfect The 60s, 1976 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 26 | |
| Waiting, circa 1978-1980 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 27 | |
| Three Times, 1979 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 28 | |
| Washington Performing Arts Concert, 1979 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 29 | |
| Seven Dances, 1980 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 30 | |
| Towers/Vestiges/Unfinished Business, 1980 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 31 | |
| Party of Six, 1981 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 32 | |
| Night, 1983 | series 9.3 | box 13 | folder 33 | |
| Afterthoughts, 1984-1989 | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 1 | |
| Unidentified Negatives and Photograph Strips, 1985-1988 | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 2 | |
| Ancestral Memories, 1986-1989 | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 3 | |
| Sighting the Deer, 1990 | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 4 | |
| Small Disturbances, 1995-1996 | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 5 | |
| Departures, 2001 | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 6 | |
| Harmonica Breakdown, 2002 | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 7 | |
| Slow Walk, 2002 | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 8 | |
| Improvisation Performance in Georgetown, undated | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 9 | |
| Off with their Heads!, undated | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 10 | |
| Old Photographs, undated | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 11 | |
| Old Photographs (Slides Only), undated | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 12 | |
| Patchwork, undated | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 13 | |
| Touches and Greens, undated | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 14 | |
| Unidentified Rehearsal Photographs, undated | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 15 | |
| Unidentified Performance Photographs, undated | series 9.3 | box 14 | folder 16 | |
Subseries 9.4: Companies, circa 1956-1982 and undated (2 folders)
This subseries contains photographs related to Dance Quartet and to Improvisations Unlimited, primarily of performances and company members. Materials are arranged chronologically by company.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dance Quartet, circa 1956 and undated | series 9.4 | box 14 | folder 17 | |
| Improvisations Unlimited, 1977-1982 and undated | series 9.4 | box 14 | folder 18 | |
Subseries 9.5: Other Photographs, 1981-2007 and undated (3 folders)
This subseries contains photographs of Rosen's students as well as Rosen's personal, non-career-related photographs. It is arranged by subject.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students, 2007 and undated | series 9.5 | box 14 | folder 19 | |
| Personal, 1981 and undated | series 9.5 | box 14 | folder 20 | |
| Unidentified Personal Slides, undated | series 9.5 | box 14 | folder 21 | |
Subseries 9.6: Digital Images, undated (330 MB)
This subseries contains digital images, primarily of Rosen's early career as a dancer. Some of the original photographs are part of the collection, mostly located in Series 9.4, Dance Quartet; others exist only in digital format.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Images (Note: Please see curator for access to digital images.), undated | series 9.6 | box 14 | folder 22 | |
Series 10: Media, 1983-2007 and undated (3.00 linear feet)
This series contains CDs, video tapes, 16mm film, and audio cassettes featuring performance music, performances, and interviews. All original material titles have been retained. Materials are arranged by media type, then either chronologically or alphabetically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDs, 2000-2007 | series 10 | box 15 | folder 1 | ||
| Entangled, 2000 | series 10 | box 15 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
| Dr. Dorothy Madden Tribute, 2001 | series 10 | box 15 | folder 1 | item 2.0 | |
| Maryland Dance Ensemble at Millennium Stage, 2003 | series 10 | box 15 | folder 1 | item 3.0 | |
| Anima, 2004 | series 10 | box 15 | folder 1 | item 4.0 | |
| Mim Rosen Award, Maryland Council for Dance, 2007 | series 10 | box 15 | folder 1 | item 5.0 | |
| Film (16mm), undated | series 10 | box 15 | folder 2 | ||
| Crookshank, undated | series 10 | box 15 | folder 2 | item 1.0 | |
| Videos, 1983-2005 and undated | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | ||
| Thaw and Afterthoughts, 1983 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
| Towers, 1985 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 2.0 | |
| Ancestral Memories, 1987 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 3.0 | |
| Old Photographs, 1987 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 4.0 | |
| Looking Back, 1987 and Drifting, 1988 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 5.0 | |
| Faded Image and Drifting, 1988 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 6.0 | |
| L'Historie Du Soldat, 1988 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 7.0 | |
| Fierce Attachments, 1989 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 8.0 | |
| Dance/Theatre Works by Meriam Rosen, 1990 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 9.0 | |
| Schizophrenic Girl, 1990 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 10.0 | |
| Remains: Dance/Theatre Works by Meriam Rosen, 1993 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 11.0 | |
| Fall Faculty/Student Dance Concert, 1993 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 12.0 | |
| Remember, 1993 and Considering Ground, 1994 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 13.0 | |
| Remember, 1994 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 14.0 | |
| Remember and Search For Stability, 1995 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 15.0 | |
| Meriam Rosen Choreography, 1995-2000 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 16.0 | |
| Meriam Rosen-Ravel Choreographies, 1995-1997 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 17.0 | |
| Meriam Rosen-Ravel Choreographies, 1995-1997 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 18.0 | |
| Small Disturbances and WETA's Enjoy Dancing Public Service Announcement, 1996 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 19.0 | |
| Travelers at the Gate, 1996 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 20.0 | |
| Travelers at the Gate, GMU New Dance Festival, 1996 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 21.0 | |
| After the Rain, Quiet, 1997 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 22.0 | |
| After the Rain, Quiet, 1997 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 23.0 | |
| Small Disturbances, 1997 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 24.0 | |
| 20/20 Visions, The Story of Dance Place, 20th Anniversary, 1998 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 25.0 | |
| Bob and Bob Dance, 1999 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 26.0 | |
| Two, Sometimes Together, 1999 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 27.0 | |
| Two, Sometimes Together, 1999 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 28.0 | |
| 20/20 Vision: 20 Years at Dance Place, 2000 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 29.0 | |
| Relentless Memory, 2000 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 30.0 | |
| The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Small Disturbances, 2000 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 31.0 | |
| Things Fall Apart, 2000 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 32.0 | |
| Departures, 2001 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 33.0 | |
| Departures, 2001 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 34.0 | |
| Departures, 2001 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 35.0 | |
| Departures, 2001 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 36.0 | |
| CAPA, 2004-2005 | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 37.0 | |
| Ancestral Memories, undated | series 10 | box 16 | folder 1 | item 38.0 | |
| Videos, 1993 and undated | series 10 | box 17 | folder 1 | ||
| Departures Rehearsal, undated | series 10 | box 17 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
| Drifting, undated | series 10 | box 17 | folder 1 | item 2.0 | |
| Heavy Air/Endless Passage, undated | series 10 | box 17 | folder 1 | item 3.0 | |
| Impresiones Intimas, undated | series 10 | box 17 | folder 1 | item 4.0 | |
| Impresiones Intimas, undated | series 10 | box 17 | folder 1 | item 5.0 | |
| Old Photos and Ancestral Memories, undated | series 10 | box 17 | folder 1 | item 6.0 | |
| Ravel Quartet, undated | series 10 | box 17 | folder 1 | item 7.0 | |
| Dance/Theatre works by Meriam Rosen, undated | series 10 | box 17 | folder 1 | item 8.0 | |
| Various Excerpts, undated | series 10 | box 17 | folder 1 | item 9.0 | |
| Remains (Hi-8), 1993 | series 10 | box 17 | folder 1 | item 10.0 | |
| Cassettes Performance Music, 1990 and undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 1 | ||
| Mirit Lifshitz Berman, undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 1 | item 1.0 | |
| Herb Bernstein/Wendy Woodson, undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 1 | item 2.0 | |
| Lynda Cergnilia, 1990 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 1 | item 3.0 | |
| John Dixon, undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 1 | item 4.0 | |
| Tere Harmon, 1990 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 1 | item 5.0 | |
| Liz Rolland, undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 1 | item 6.0 | |
| Rob Sherrod, 1990 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 1 | item 7.0 | |
| Cassettes Performance Music, 1985-1997 and undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | ||
| After the Rain, Quiet, 1996 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 1.0 | |
| Afterthoughts, undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 2.0 | |
| Agee Horst 1& 2 RHT, 1997 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 3.0 | |
| Bach Duet/Mary & Mary, undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 4.0 | |
| Duduk (1 of 3), undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 5.0 | |
| Duduk (2 of 3), undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 6.0 | |
| Duduk (3 of 3), undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 7.0 | |
| Henry Threadgill Sextet, You Know the Number, 1987 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 8.0 | |
| I Awoke Gasping (Reh)/The Agee Project, undated and 1997 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 9.0 | |
| In the Ruins Rosen, 1998 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 10.0 | |
| Looking Back Mim Rosen/Live Voice/Collage Vers. III, 1987 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 11.0 | |
| Miles Davis: Miles/Imrpv. Unltd., 1987 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 12.0 | |
| Mono. Dance: Women in Black/Party of Six, undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 13.0 | |
| Out of Bounds/Charlie Vernon, 1985 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 14.0 | |
| Remember, 1992 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 15.0 | |
| Rivers of Delight, undated | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 16.0 | |
| Small Disturbances Mim, 1995 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 17.0 | |
| Small Disturbances Rosen, 1996 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 18.0 | |
| Traces by Don Redlich Rehearsal Copy, 1997 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 19.0 | |
| Traces by Don Redlich Performance Copy, 1997 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 20.0 | |
| Where Now/When Now/Don Redlich, 1987 | series 10 | box 18 | folder 2 | item 21.0 | |
Related Material
Researchers should also consult the Improvisations Unlimited Collection, which contains important company records, performance videos, programs and publicity materials, photographs, and some material pertinent to the University of Maryland. Please note that the Meriam Rosen Papers contains materials related to the company as well, which were received as part of Rosen's personal papers, and have been maintained as such. Videos clearly pertaining to Improvisations Unlimited have been transferred to that collection.
Also see:
- Maryland Dance Ensemble [videorecording] (2008). Call number: WAP 0399. (Available for viewing in the Performing Arts Library; please see the libraries' catalog record for more information.)
- Maryland Dance Ensemble [videorecording] (2008). Call number: WAP 0400. (Available for viewing in the Performing Arts Library; please see the libraries' catalog record for more information.)
- University of Maryland Department of Dance Publications (1967-). Call number: UPUB D3. (Available for viewing in Hornbake Library's Maryland Room; please see the libraries' catalog record for more information.)
- Jerome Robbins: Total Man of the American Theatre. Meriam Levine Rosen, master's thesis (1966). Call number: LD3231.M70m Rosen, M. L. (Available in Hornbake Library's Maryland Room; please see the libraries' catalog record for more information.)
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.