Identifier

UA 53.11

Dates

1947-1994

Extent

3.55 linear feet (5 boxes) photographs, moving image materials

Abstract

Marilyn Richardson was a professor in the health, physical education, and recreation department teaching primarily dance. This collection consists of materials related to dance and the teaching of dance at South Dakota State University. Slides, photographs, videos, posters and scrapbooks document the formal entrance of dance into the SDSU curriculum.

Historical Note

Marilyn Richardson was born on May 22, 1934. She graduated from Box Elder High School in Brigham City, Utah in 1952. In 1956, she received her BA in Speech with a minor in Dance from Brigham Young University. Marilyn received her MA in 1963 from Pennsylvania State University, with a major in Theatre Arts and a minor in Arts Education.

Richardson began teaching in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation [HPER] Department on the South Dakota State University [SDSU] campus in 1964. At that time, the Frost Arena was not yet built; she taught dance courses in the old barn in whatever space was available. In 1968, she started the Annual Student Dance Concerts. In 1976, Marilyn initiated and worked to establish a dance minor through the HPER Department. The Experimental Dance Concert, which was held on the unique stage of the South Dakota Art Museum was started in 1980.

Richardson provided performance opportunities for dancers, offering experimental concerts to challenge students ideals of dance and art, and main stage productions that provided students with choreographic and performance experience. She developed the Motion Machine, which was a student performance company that traveled throughout the region performing at elementary schools. Not only did this offer the SDSU dancers touring and performance experience, but it also provided school children throughout the state the chance to see dance in a different and creative perspective.

Richardson provided choreographic services to SDSU theatre, taught private dance lessons, served on several local, state, and national committees, dabbled in the writing world, and toured as artist in residence and touring artist through the South Dakota Arts Council.

Marilyn Richardson retired from SDSU on May 15, 1994. She is mother of three children and wife to Jay

Content Notes

This collection is composed of materials related to dance and the teaching of dance at South Dakota State University. Slides, photographs, videos, posters and scrapbooks document the formal entrance of dance into the university curriculum.

Series 1. Awards and plaques.

The awards and plaques are composed of various awards and plaques presented to Marilyn Richardson over the years.

Series 2. General papers.

The general papers is composed of programs, newsletters, Dance Club material, dance camp and workshop material, concert choreography, and clippings from newspapers and other publications. Also included is the Dance Minor proposal and history at SDSU, information on Nellie G. Kendall, Barbara Kohn, and Terry Larvie, and biographical data of Marilyn Richardson.

Series 3. Photographs, slides, and video cassettes.

The photographs, slides and video cassettes include images of students and faculty, dance concerts, rehearsals, camps, workshops, the Motion Machine and guest artist and companies. The videos are of concerts, the Motion Machine, student projects, student solos, dance camps, rehearsals, and experimental dance.

Series 4. Broadsides.

The broadsides are composed of poses used for publicity for dance concerts given at SDSU by students, faculty and guest artists and companies. Some of the posters include collages of photographs which may duplicate photographs in the Photographs, Slides and Videocassettes series.

Series 5. Scrapbooks.

The scrapbooks were created for the Dance Club and the Modern Dance Club and include photographs, programs, and clippings.

SDSU Archives and Special Collections

Follow this link for more information:

https://www.sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/university-archives

Language

English

Publisher

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Rights

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

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