Scope and arrangement
The Jeanne Hays Beaman papers hold computer dance research material, arts organization files, photographs, programs, awards, correspondence, and scrapbooks. Computer dance research materials consist of correspondence with colleagues, programs, notes, articles, and her unpublished book The Workbook for Computer-Generated Choreography, which was a collaboration with computer specialist Dale Isner. All materials reflect Beaman's interest in using computers for artistic expression, and include correspondence with individuals from IBM and other companies in the developing field of arts technology. There are a few sample printouts from choreographic software programs, but there are no full examples of choreography.
Arts organization files hold correspondence and conference materials from the American College Dance Festival Association, the American Dance Guild, the Pittsburgh Dance Council, and the Massachusetts Arts and Humanities Foundation. The Massachusetts Arts and Humanities files include correspondence and photographs detailing a 1978 Merce Cunningham Dance Company residency in local schools.
Scrapbooks hold clippings and programs documenting Beaman's early dance training and career (1920-1940) as well as photographs from a 1974 Anna Halprin workshop in Pittsburgh. Later items were occasionally pasted into the early career scrapbook. Some of these additions date from the 1970s. Photographs are limited and document workshops and performances primarily from 1960 to 1975. Of note is a mounted set of images from Beaman's computer-choreographed dance Cluster at the Center (1969). Awards hold honor certificates and ceremony programs. Correspondence is primarily personal cards. A file on Bennington School of the Dance holds reunion information as well as a copy of an interview given by Beaman in 1979 about her year at the school.
Audio visual material consists of a WQED broadcast ballet and a computer dance presentation from 1973. Audio visual materials may be subject to preservation evaluation and migration prior to access.
Arrangement
Alphabetical by file type.