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Creator
Carlisle Project
Call number
(S) *MGZMD 272
Physical description
.42 linear feet (1 box)
Preferred Citation

Carlisle Project records, Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Repository
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

Founded by Barbara Weisberger in 1984, the Carlisle Project was a center for the professional development of choreographers and dancers based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Documenting selected aspects of the Carlisle Project from 1984-1998, the records contain agendas, group discussion topics, and summaries regarding the Project's 1990 convocation; photographs; brochures, fact sheets, and season schedules; a master's thesis; as well as photocopies of correspondence, notes, testimonials, and press clippings.

Biographical/historical information

Pennsylvania Ballet Company founder Barbara Weisberger founded the Carlisle Project in 1984 as a center for the professional development of choreographers and dancers. Based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the project's national program paired choreographers and dancers together in a relaxed, supportive environment designed to nurture creativity in choreography, especially in classical ballet.

According to their 1993 brochure, the Carlisle Project sought to answer "the need to provide a commercially unpressured environment in which service to the creative aspects of the art form and the development of artists are the paramount concerns." The project saw its primary responsibility to "provide time, resources, and mentorship to gifted, committed choreographers and dancers," which was accomplished through workshops, resident choreographer fellowships, and showcases of works-in-progress.

The Carlisle Project suspended its operation in 1996, but retained its status as a nonprofit organization. At that time the organization was entrusted to its founder and artistic director, Barbara Weisberger.

Scope and arrangement

The Carlisle Project records document selected aspects of the organization from 1984-1998. Agendas, group discussion topics, and summaries document the Carlisle Project's first convocation in 1990, while photographs visually capture the project's choreographic workshops from 1985-1996. The photographs create the bulk of the collection, of which the majority is original photographs. Individual subjects and the photographer are often identified on the back of the photographs.

The records also contain photocopies of correspondence and notes of the organization's founder/artistic director, Barbara Weisberger, and assistant director, Tarin Chaplin; a choreo-music subject file containing photocopies of correspondence, notes, and press clippings; as well as photocopies of testimonials and topically arranged press clippings. Additional original materials include brochures, fact sheets, season schedules, and a master's thesis on the project.

Arrangement

Alphabetical by subject.

Administrative information

Custodial history

According to the letter of acknowledgment, the collection consists of items selected by Barbara Weisberger containing key images and documents of the Carlisle Project.

Source of acquisition

Donated by Barbara Weisberger, 1998.

Processing information

Compiled by Laura Slezak Karas.

Original folders and folder titles have been retained.

Related Material

Eye on Dance records. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts..

Using the collection

Location

Jerome Robbins Dance Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright retained by any document's creator.

Access restrictions

To request materials, contact the Jerome Robbins Dance Division (dance@nypl.org) in advance.