Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre records

id
10765
origination
Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre
date statement
1976-2007
key date
1976
identifier (local_mss)
23928
org unit
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
call number
*MGZMD 466
b-number
b12246016
total components
0
total series
0
max depth
N/A
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2017-01-20 19:47:10 UTC
updated
2026-06-25 15:07:55 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"*MGZMD 466", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"23928", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"b12246016", "type"=>"local_b"}
{"value"=>"33433119501538", "type"=>"local_barcode"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1976-2007", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1976/2007"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre records"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>".42 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear feet"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1 box", "unit"=>"containers"}], "supress_display"=>true}
repository
{"id"=>"DAN", "value"=>"Jerome Robbins Dance Division"}
abstract
{"value"=>"The Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre was a non-profit dance company that supported and promoted the work of dancers, choreographers, and theatre artists of color. The company's records date from 1976 to 2007, and consist of administrative papers, promotional materials, photographs, and video recordings."}
prefercite
{"value"=>"Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre records, *MGZMD 466. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts"}
origination
{"value"=>"Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre", "type"=>"corpname", "role"=>"creator"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>The Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre (NBCDT) was a non-profit organization that supported and promoted the work of dancers, choreographers, and theatre artists of color. The company was founded in in 1976 as the Chamber Dance Group by Nanette Rohan Bearden (1927-1996), and originated as a group of eight dancers that specialized in classical ballets, vignettes, and works-in-progress. The company's name was officially changed to NBCDT in 1977, and they opened a professional dance school that provided training and scholarships for young and emerging dancers.</p> <p>Bearden's husband, the artist Romare Bearden, helped design costumes for ballets, and created a limited edition lithograph logo for the company which helped to fund its operations. NBCDT went on to work with a number of African-American choreographers and dancers such as Talley Beatty, Fred Benjamin, Marla Bingham, Gary DeLoatch, George Faison, Louis Johnson, John Jones, Dianne McIntyre, Rick Odums, Carmencita Romero, Roumel Reaux, Walter Rutledge, Otis Sallid, and Bill Scott. Company productions toured all over the United States, as well as in Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.</p> <p>Nanette Bearden, who also served as the organization's artistic director, grew up on Staten Island and studied modern dance and jazz at the Martha Graham School, Clark Center for Performing Arts, and Luigi Dance Center; and ballet at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. From 1971 to 1974, she danced professionally with the New World Dancers. Bearden was a staunch advocate for black choreographers and dancers, and produced the series, Broadway Dance Festival, from 1975 to 1976, which promoted such companies as Eleo Pomare Dance Company, Joan Miller/Chamber Arts Players, Charles Moore Dance Theatre, Pepsi Bethel Authentic Dance Theatre, and the Jerry Ames Tap Dance Company.</p> <p>Upon the death of Nanette Bearden in 1996, the NBCDT was dissolved. In 2004, the organization was revived by Bearden's sister, Sheila Rohan, who is also a dancer, choreographer, and instructor. The company continued to offer outreach programs in dance instruction and theatre arts to students in low-income neighborhoods; professional training through their dance school; and dance and theatre performances with an emphasis on works by artists of color.</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre records date from 1976 to 2007 and contain administrative files, promotional items, photographs, and video recordings that document the history of the company. The records chronicle Bearden's tenure as NBCD's artistic director, as well as the organization's reestablishment under the direction of Sheila Rohan in 2004.</p> <p>The administrative materials include financial documentation, the company's articles of incorporation, and a selection of meeting minutes. Also present are various lists of company members, descriptions of the organization, and biographies of Nanette Bearden.</p> <p>The promotional items comprise a selection of programs from company productions, along with few press releases, newsletters, and flyers.</p> <p>Photographs date from 1976 to the 1980s, and include captions that identify the year and the individuals depicted. The photographs primarily portray rehearsals and live performances.</p>"}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Donated by Sheila Rohan, 2016.</p>"}
processinfo
{"type"=>"processing", "value"=>"<p>Compiled by <span class=\"name\">Heather Lember</span>, <span class=\"date\">2017</span>.</p>"}
accessrestrict
{"value"=>"<p>Video recordings are unavailable pending digitization.</p>"}
userestrict
{"value"=>"<p>The author/creator retains the copyright of materials. For information on obtaining permission to publish, contact the Dance Division at dance@nypl.org.</p>"}
date_start
1976
keydate
1976
date_end
2007
date_inclusive_start
1976
date_inclusive_end
2007
extent_statement
.42 linear feet (1 box)

Update Collection TOP

Update from EAD XML File

Resources TOP

PDF finding aid

No PDF finding aid attached.

File attachments

No files attached.

Repository Assets

No UUIDs attached.

Living at NYPL Archives

Sign in to add or edit a living at feature for this collection.

Export Collection to ArchivesSpace

Child components TOP

No child components.