Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco) Records
Collection ID
SCRC 438
Related Subjects
Collecting Areas
Description
Collection Summary
Title
Philadelphia Dance Company Records
Dates
1968-2014, bulk 1968-2005
Collection ID
SCRC 438
Creator
Philadelphia Dance Company
Quantity
5.3 linear feet (16 boxes)
Repository
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries
Language
Materials in English
Detailed Collection Information
Historical Note
Philadanco, a non–profit professional dance company located in Philadelphia, PA, was founded by Joan Myers Brown in 1970. The mission of the company is to preserve African American dance traditions and to provide training and performance opportunities for minority and non–minority dancers. Known for innovative dance training programs and support systems, Philadanco provides choreographic workshops, counseling, low-cost master classes, free professional level classes, and dancewear to members of its programs. The company receives support from corporate foundations, individual donors, the city of Philadelphia, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Philadanco conducts lecture demonstrations for young audiences in schools and community centers in the Philadelphia area. They perform with world-renowned orchestras and many popular celebrities, locally, on tour, and on national television. Philadanco is internationally recognized for its artistic integrity, highly trained dancers, and initiatives to further development of African American choreographers.
In 1988, under the leadership of Ms. Myers Brown, Philadanco organized the first International Conference on Black Dance Companies. In 1992, the International Association of Blacks in Dance was formed with Ms. Myers Brown as the honorary chair. In 1997, she was one of only five African American women receiving the Women in Dance Living Legends award for her contributions to modern dance.
Description of Collection
The bulk of the collection consists of performance programs, photographs, marketing materials, and publicity. Organizational records are limited, and include scattered minutes of the board of directors, correspondence, two annual reports, and a development plan. This collection includes preserved versions of the organization’s website, available through Archive-It.
Organization and Arrangement
The collection is arranged into 7 series as follows:
Series 1: Audiovisual, 1968-1996
Series 2: Business and finances, 1968-1996
Series 3: Performances and events, 1972-2004
Series 4: Photographs, 1979-1992
Series 5: Publicity, 1972-2005
Series 6: Miscellaneous, 1976-2004
Series 7: Website versions in Archive-It, 2014
Series 1, Audiovisual materials include radio spots, commercials, and promotional shorts on VHS, U–matic, and cassette tapes. An audio cassette and transcript of a KYW radio program features Joan Myers Brown, among other African Americans of influence.
Series 2, Business and finances contains scattered correspondence, annual reports, a development plan, and an operating proposal for the organization. Brochures and announcements for the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts provide information about the company’s dance training school.
Series 3, Performances and events consists of invitations and programs for the company’s annual gala celebrations and miscellaneous receptions; performance programs; and organizational information associated with several touring performances and local concerts. Included are meeting materials and reports on the International Conference on Black Dance Companies.
Series 4, Photographs are arranged by individual performer, by performance piece, and by event.
Series 5, Publicity consists of audition announcements, marketing materials (brochures, flyers, and advertisements), and performance reviews in the form of newspaper clippings and magazine articles. Scattered issues of the Philadanco newsletter are included.
Series 6, Miscellaneous items associated with the dance company include awards and citations, promotional items, costume drafts, biographies of company members, and teaching materials developed by the company. The series contains biographical information and publicity for Joan Myers Brown.
Series 7, Website versions in Archive-It contains preserved versions of the Philadelphia Dance Company’s website. To access these sites, see the Temple University Special Collections Philadelphia Dance Collection Archive-It web page: https://www.archive-it.org/collections/4279.
Patron Information
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Temple University’s online library catalog: https://librarysearch.temple.edu/catalog/991006326289703811
Research Access
Collection is open for research.
Collections Stored Off-Site
This collection may be housed off-site at the Library Depository, and require up to two business days to retrieve. Please review the finding aid and be prepared to identify specific materials to be retrieved. Contact the Special Collections Research Center in advance of your visit, so that materials may be relocated to the reading room for research.
Technical Access
Original audiovisual materials, as well as preservation and duplicating masters, may not be played. Researchers must consult use copies, or if none exist must pay for a use copy. Certain digital files may also be inaccessible. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.
Accruals
Additions to this collection are expected. Websites are captured using Archive-It periodically, and the latest additions may not yet be included in this finding aid. For information on material–physical and digital, including captured websites–that may have been added since the last finding aid update, please contact the Special Collections Research Center.
Publication and Copyright Information
The Philadelphia Dance Company Records are the physical property of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Philadelphia Dance Company Records, SCRC 438, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Acquired from the Philadelphia Dance Company between 2004-2005.
Processing Information
Collection processed and finding aid prepared in 2011 by B. Myerowitz. Finding aid revised according to contemporary archival standards in December 2014 by Katy Rawdon, Coordinator of Technical Services.
Index Terms
The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in Temple University’s electronic catalog:
Personal/Family Names:
Brown, Joan Myers
Corporate Names:
International Association of Blacks in Dance
Philadelphia Dance Company
Subjects:
African American dance--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
African American dance teachers
African American dancers
Places:
Philadelphia, Pa.
Material Types:
Administrative records
Audiocassettes
Born digital
Clippings
Correspondence
Ephemera
Floppy disks
Manuscripts
Minutes
Negatives
Newsletters
Periodicals
Photographs
Playbills
Posters
Publications
Reports
Sound recordings
VHS (TM)
Video recordings
Web sites
Inventory
Series 1: Audiovisual, 1968-1996
1 3.5” floppy disk: National Endowment for the Arts, text included in report on use of grant funding circa 1998
1 3.5” floppy disk: Philadanco invitation 2000
1 Audio cassette: Aramark/Philadanco KYW radio spot May 1995
1 Audio cassette: Interview with Joan Myers Brown June 20, 1995
1 Audio cassette: KYW radio Black history month series 1991
(Highlights the achievements of African Americans of influence, including Joan Myers Brown. Transcript included.)
1 U–matic tape, ¾ format: Commercial (2 copies) undated
1 U–matic tape, ¾ format: 30 second spot undated
1 VHS tape: 30 second and 3 minute spot undated
1 VHS tape: Commercial (3 copies) 2001
1 VHS tape: Five minute promo undated
1 VHS tape: “Messages from the Heart” excerpts undated
(“Myscience,” choreographed by Bebe Miller; and “Hands Singing Songs,” choreographed by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar)
1 VHS tape: Promo (2 copies) 2000
1 VHS tape: Public service announcement (3 copies) undated
Series 2: Business and finances, 1968-1996
2 1 Annual report 1987
2 2 Annual report 1988
2 3 Board of Directors meeting minutes and correspondence 1983–1989
2 4 Brazilian Dance company partnership 1986–1987
2 5 Correspondence circa 1968–1997,undated
(Includes Internal Revenue Service certificate of registration 1972)
2 6 Five-year development plan 1985–1989
2 7 General operating proposal 1994–1995
2 8 Philadelphia School of Dance Arts 1981–1996,undated
(Brochures and performance announcement)
2 9 Spring concert series 1993, 1996
Series 3: Performances and events, 1972-2004
2 10 25th anniversary tour 1995
2 11 Annual anniversary spring gala 1988–2004
International Conference on Black Dance Companies
2 12 Agenda and comprehensive report 1987–1988
2 13 Meeting materials, Jan. 29–31 1989
2 14 Jacobs Pillow 1993–1994
2 15 Lincoln Center “Out of Doors” August 17–18, 1993
3 1 Lincoln University “African American Traditions: Perspectives from Pennsylvania” March 19, 1997
3 2 Miscellaneous 1976–1994
3 3 Programs 1972–1979
3 4 Programs 1981–1985
3 5 Programs 1986
3 6 Programs 1987
3 7 Programs 1988
3 8 Programs 1989
3 9 Programs 1990
4 1 Programs 1991
4 2 Programs 1992
4 3 Programs 1993
4 4 Programs 1994
4 5 Programs 1995
4 6 Programs 1996
5 1 Programs 1997
5 2-3 Programs 1998
5 4-5 Programs 1999
5 6 Programs 2000
6 1 Programs 2001
6 2 Programs 2002
6 3 Programs 2003–2004
6 4 Programs undated
Series 4: Photographs, 1979-1992
Events
6 5 Alumni rehearsal circa 1990
6 6 Anniversary gala April 1990
6 7 Anniversary gala April 1992
6 8 Donor forum 1990
6 9 Performances: Annenberg 1990
6 10 Performances: Danco on Danco 1990
6 11 Performances: Joyce Theater 1990
6 12 Spring concert 1988
6 13 Spring concert 1989
6 14 Spring concert 1990
6 15 Spring concert 1991
6 16 Performers: Buffington, Gigi undated
6 17 Performers: Chase, Deborah undated
6 18 Performers: Lopez, Miquel undated
6 19 Performers: McNeil, Corbett undated
7 1 Performers: Sadler, Paul B. undated
7 2 Performers: St. Charles, David undated
7 3 Performers: Scott, Antonio undated
7 4 Performers: Toombs, Jamilla undated
7 5 Performers: Watkins, Evelyn undated
7 6 Performance pieces: “Autumn Wylde” 1980
7 7 Performance pieces: “Bound to Be Free” 1986, undated
7 8 Performance pieces: “Cantus” 1988, undated
7 9 Performance pieces: “Caravan Serai” undated
7 10 Performance pieces: “Center Man” undated
7 11 Performance pieces: “Conversations for Seven Souls” 1986, undated
7 12 Performance pieces: “Dreamtime” undated
7 13 Performance pieces: “Duke Street” 1984–1986, undated
7 14 Performance pieces: “Ebony Concerto” undated
7 15 Performance pieces: “Elegy” undated
7 16 Performance pieces: “The Element in Which It Takes Place” undated undated
7 17 Performance pieces: “Forces of Rhythm” undated
7 18 Performance pieces: “I Told Jesus” undated
7 19 Performance pieces: “Joy” undated
7 20 Performance pieces: “Ladder Dance” undated
8 1 Performance pieces: “LaValse” 1979, undated
8 2 Performance pieces: “Lelio” undated
8 3 Performance pieces: “Love ‘n Pain” undated
8 4 Performance pieces: “Men Against the Wall” undated
8 5 Performance pieces: “Nuevo Tango” undated
8 6 Performance pieces: “Pacings” 1988, undated
8 7 Performance pieces: “Pale Lotus” undated
8 8 Performance pieces: “Pretty is Skin Deep, Ugly is to the Bone” undated
8 9 Performance pieces: “A Rag, a Bone, and a Hank of Hair” undated
8 10 Performance pieces: “Ritual” 1979
8 11 “Ritornello” 1986
8 12 “Ritornello” 1989
8 13 “Ritornello” undated
8 14 “Rosa” undated
8 15 “Shadow Sisters” undated
8 16 “Southern Landscape” undated
8 17 “Such Sweet Morning Song” undated
8 18 Unidentified performances undated
9 1 Unidentified performances undated
9 2 “White Dragon” 1989, undated
9 3 Miscellaneous Groups undated
9 4 Miscellaneous Individuals undated
9 5-6 Miscellaneous Negatives undated
9 7 Miscellaneous Snapshots (7 envelopes) undated
Series 5: Publicity, 1972-2005
9 8 Audition announcements 1981–1995
10 1 Marketing materials undated
10 2 Newsletters 1982, 1985, 1986, 1995, 1996
10 3 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1972–1975
10 4 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1976–1977
10 5 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1978–1981
10 6 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1982–1983
10 7 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1984–1985
10 8 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1986
10 9 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1987–1988
10 10 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1989
10 11 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1990
10 12 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1991
11 1 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1992
11 2 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1993
11 3 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1994
11 4 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1995
11 5 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1996
11 6 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1997
12 1 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1997
12 2 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1998
12 3 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 1999
12 4 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 2000
12 5 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles 2001-2005
12 6-7 Performances, reviews, clippings, fliers, announcements, and articles undated
13 Promotional items: “$3 to 1 for Philadanco” buttons undated
13 Promotional items: “#9 The Dance Place” t-shirt undated
13 Promotional items: 20th Anniversary t-shirt 1990
13 Promotional items: “Company of the 21st Century” t-shirt undated
13 Promotional items: “Danco II 12th anniversary” t-shirt undated
13 Promotional items: “Danco Dollar Day” fund collection canister undated
13 Promotional items: Glass mug undated
13 Promotional items: “Golf for the Arts” hat undated
13 Promotional items: Golf classic shirt 1995
13 Promotional items: “I Bought-a-Brick for Philadanco” bumper sticker undated
14 Poster: “24st Annual Spring Concert Series” (oversize) 1994
14 Poster: “25 Years of Excellence (oversize) 1995
14 Poster: "26st Annual Spring Concert Series” (oversize) 1996
14 Poster: “31st Annual Spring Concert Series” (oversize) 2001
14 Poster: CIBA Award for Distinction in Advertising (oversize) 1980
14 Poster: “It’s a Knockout” (oversize) 1987
15 Poster: Philadanco in concert, Johnston Hall (3 oversize posters) 1979, undated
16 1-3 Promotional magazines of Philadanco undated
Series 6: Miscellaneous, 1976-2004
16 4 Awards and citations 1976–1999
16 5 Biographies, fact sheets, and repertoire information undated
16 6 Costume drafts undated
16 7 International Association of Blacks in Dance newsletters and brochure 1991–1999
16 8 Joan Myers–Brown 1986–2004
(Awards, biographical information, and the text of speech given by Ms. Myers Brown upon receipt of honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, 2004)
15 Citations: City of Philadelphia (oversize) 2002
15 Citations: City Council of Philadelphia (oversize) 2002
15 Citations: Pennsylvania legislative Black Caucus (oversize) 2002
15 Citations: Senate of Pennsylvania (oversize) 2002
15 Citations: Pennsylvania House of representatives (oversize) 2002
16 9 Premier performance tickets 1972
16 10 Script for “Roots/Reflections” undated
16 11 Teaching materials 1996, 1997, undated
Series 7:Website versions in Archive-It, 2014
Series 7 contains preserved versions of the Philadelphia Dance Company’s website. To access these sites, see the Temple University Special Collections Philadelphia Dance Collection Archive-It web page: https://www.archive-it.org/collections/4279
Request Materials from Special Collections Research Center
https://temple.aeon.atlas-sys.com/Logon/?Action=10&Form=30&ItemTitle=Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco) Records&ItemPlace=Philadelphia Dance Collection&CallNumber=SCRC 438&rft.pages=Philadelphia Dance Collection