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Creator
Maule, Michael
Call number
*MGZEB 22-0009
Physical description
0.42 linear feet (1 box)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
Michael Maule photographs, *MGZEB 22-0009. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Repository
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
Access to materials
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Michael Maule was a ballet dancer, teacher, and principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, Cuban National Ballet, New York City Ballet, and the London Festival Ballet. His collection, which dates from the 1930s to the 1960s, holds photographs depicting his dance training as a youth in South Africa, and professional dance career in the United States, Cuba, and Europe.

Biographical/historical information

Michael Maule (1921-2017) was born in South Africa, where he began his dance training at a young age. Maule moved to London in the 1930s, where he continued his training. He relocated again to New York City a few years later to pursue a professional career in dance.

Maule made his professional debut on Broadway in 1946 with Annie Get Your Gun. This was followed by a series of principal dancer tenures with the American Ballet Theatre (1947), the Cuban National Ballet (1948-1949), New York City Ballet (1950-1953), and London Festival Ballet (1955). Maule also performed at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival between 1951 and 1954, and worked as a dancer and choreographer for the Great Moments of Ballet film series. After retiring from performing, Maule taught at the American Ballet Theatre School, Robert Joffrey School, the National Academy of Dance, and the Juilliard School.

Scope and arrangement

The collection dates from the 1930s to the 1960s, and contains photographs that chronicle Maule's dance training and professional dance career. The photographs are arranged into images depicting Maule, photographs of Maul with others, and images depicting other dancers.

The photographs of Maule are arranged chronologically and hold images of him training in Durban, South Africa; dancing in Havana, Cuba, performing in productions of Lilac Garden and Swan Lake; and shots from the set of Great Moments of the Dance.

The photographs with others date from the 1940s to 1960s, and are arranged alphabetically by name. Those depicted with Maule include Alicia Alonso, Elizabeth Arden, Irina Borowska, Alexandra Danilova, Patrica Dunn, Melissa Hayden, Olga Suarez, Maria Tallchief, and Violette Verdy.

The photographs of others include an assortment of photographs of unidentified dancers, and alphabetically arranged images of Alicia Markova, Simon Semenoff, Lupe Serrano, and John Kriza.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by Michael Maule in 1978.

Processing information

Processed by Heather Lember in 2022.

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