Scope and arrangement
The Ellen Jacobs Associates (EJA) records (1982-2003) hold public relations files for dance companies represented by the firm. The files consist of clippings, reviews of performances, press releases, and a limited amount of correspondence. Also present in this collection are slides of performances and bound publicity reports. The majority of the documents in this collection are photocopies.
The company files make up the bulk of the collection and contain clippings, reviews, press releases, listings, and schedules relating to productions put on by dance companies. A limited amount of correspondence is present as well. Files for Paul Taylor Dance Company, Martha Graham Dance Company, and Merce Cunningham Dance Company are the most thorough. Other companies and events represented in the company files include Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Margie Gillis, the Lincoln Center Festival (1996), Jacob’s Pillow, and Ralph Lemon Dance, among several others. The "All Client" files within this collection contain documents relating to multiple dance companies and events, though not every company represented by EJA is necessarily included. Original and photocopied clippings relating to several of the companies’ performances are present in this collection.
The Paul Taylor files contain announcements, press releases, and reviews relating to productions put on by his company between 1988 and 2003. Some correspondence is present, as well as documentation on photo calls for productions. The limited amount of correspondence is between EJA, Paul Taylor Dance Company staff and various media stations, such as CNN and The New York Times. These letters document publicity activities, such as setting up interviews and sending material to news stations and newspapers for the promotion of productions. The Merce Cunningham files consist of reviews, announcements, and schedules for performances dating from 1990 to 2001. The Martha Graham files contain biographical information on company dancers; press releases for performances, awards, and galas; photo call checklists; press and publicity lists; and notes from press conferences. The correspondence relates to the sending and receiving of press releases and material for the promotion of productions.
The slides document performances of the dance companies represented by EJA from 1990 to 2000. The Joyce Theater slides show performances by Ronald K. Harris, Lucinda Childs, Josef Nadj, and Monte/Brown Dance, among others, as well as the Altogether Different festival put on by the theater. Other dance companies with slides in this collection include Toronto Dance Theatre’s 1999 performance of Vena Cave; Parsons Dance Company’s performances of Anthem and Dupe; and The Royal Ballet’s 1997 performance of The Prince of the Pagodas. There are also slides for Lar Lubovitch, Martha Graham, Momix, and photographs of Doug Elkins Choreography, among others.
Publicity Reports for over 30 dance companies are present and date from 1990 to 1999. Each report contains a combination of photocopies of press releases, announcements, and reviews for a single performance or workshop.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged alphabetically by dance company, and chronologically within that.