- unitid
-
{"value"=>"24321", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"(S) * MGZMD 583", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"b23439253", "type"=>"local_b"}
- unitdate
-
{"value"=>"1960-1986", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1960/1986"}
- unittitle
-
{"value"=>"Anne Benna Sims collection"}
- physdesc
-
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"3 boxes, 2 oversize folders", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1.36 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}
- repository
-
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Jerome Robbins Dance Division</span>"}
- abstract
-
{"value"=>"The Anne Benna Sims collection, dating from the 1960s to 1986, chronicles the career of the African-American ballet dancer and her performances with companies including the Geneva Opera Ballet, Frankfurt Opera Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. The collection includes performance programs, press clippings, photographs, publications, Sims' resume, and costume designs."}
- langmaterial
-
{"value"=>"English"}
- origination
-
{"value"=>"Sims, Anne Benna", "type"=>"persname"}
- bioghist
-
{"value"=>"<p>Anne Benna Sims (born January 9, 1953, in New York City) is an American ballet dancer, recognized as the first African-American woman to be contracted by the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), later becoming a soloist. She began her dance training at age ten at the Long Island Institute of Music in Queens, New York with Helene Vinson. After high school, Sims continued her studies at the Harkness School of Ballet, training under David Howard and Maria Vegh.</p> <p>In 1971, Sims joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, where she danced in the corps de ballet and with a newly formed second company, Les Compagnons de la Danse. She performed in works by choreographers such as Maurice Béjart, Eric Hyrst, Brian Macdonald, and Fernand Nault. After a year in Montreal, Sims was recruited by Alfonso Cata to join the Geneva Ballet, which was under the artistic direction of George Balanchine. While primarily part of the corps de ballet, she also danced soloist roles in the ballets <span class=\"title\">Symphony in C</span>, <span class=\"title\">Concerto Barocco</span>, <span class=\"title\">Raymonda Variations</span>, and <span class=\"title\">Coppélia</span>.</p> <p>In 1973, Cata became the director of the newly formed Frankfurt Opera Ballet and brought Sims with him as a soloist, later promoting her to principal. She performed in roles such as <span class=\"title\">Ragtime</span>, <span class=\"title\">Sleeping Beauty</span>, and <span class=\"title\">Allegro Brillante</span>. After four years in Frankfurt, Sims returned to the United States in 1977 to join the Eglevsky Ballet Company as a principal, where she danced in <span class=\"title\">The Nutcracker</span> and <span class=\"title\">Giselle</span>.</p> <p>In 1978, Sims was featured in <span class=\"title\">Ballet on Broadway</span>, presented by Dustin Hoffman and Alfonso Cata, performing in pieces choreographed by Cata. Following this, she joined ABT, becoming the first African-American woman to hold a contract with the company. At ABT, Sims performed as a soloist in roles such as Cybele in Antony Tudor's <span class=\"title\">Undertow</span>, as well as in Paul Taylor's <span class=\"title\">Airs</span> and Tudor's <span class=\"title\">Dark Elegies</span>.</p> <p>From 1981 to 1982, Sims danced with the Cleveland Ballet, performing in ballets such as <span class=\"title\">Laura's Women</span>, <span class=\"title\">Serenade</span>, and <span class=\"title\">Pas de Dix</span>. In addition to her performing career, she has taught dance at the Long Island Institute of Music, Eglevsky Ballet, Cleveland Ballet School, and Manhattan Plaza.</p>"}
- scopecontent
-
{"value"=>"<p>The Anne Benna Sims collection, dating from the 1960s to 1986, chronicles her ballet career. The collection is organized chronologically and highlights Sims' performances and roles with various companies, with a significant portion of the material representing her time at the Geneva Opera Ballet, Frankfurt Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. The files include performance programs, press clippings, photographs, and publications. Additionally, the collection features Sims' resume and costume designs that were gifted to her. Of particular interest is a notebook from the American Ballet Theatre's 40th Anniversary Gala in 1980, including notes and signatures from company members who attended the event.</p>"}
- acqinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>Gift of Anne Benna Sims, 2017.</p>"}
- processinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>Processed by <span class=\"name\">Tara D. Strongosky</span> in <span class=\"date\">2024</span>.</p>"}
- date_start
-
1960
- keydate
-
1960
- date_end
-
1986
- date_inclusive_start
-
1960
- date_inclusive_end
-
1986
- extent_statement
-
1.36 linear feet (3 boxes, 2 oversize folders)
- prefercite
-
{"value"=>"Anne Benna Sims collection, (S) * MGZMD 583. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts"}