Scope and arrangement
The Luna Negra Dance Theater (LNDT) collection documents the artistic and administrative activities of the Chicago-based dance company from 2001 to 2010. The collection includes materials related to performances, rehearsals, special events, and promotional activities. It contains video and audio recordings, photographs, and posters related to the company's work. The collection is divided into four series: Performances and Rehearsals, the bulk of the collection, containing video recordings of performances and rehearsals, photographs, and soundtracks; Special Events and Speaking Engagements which documents the company's lectures and demonstrations at schools, and appearances at festivals and award events; Photographs, which includes headshots, portraits, and studio images; and Publicity material consisting of promotional videos and recordings of the company's television appearances and interviews.
The Luna Negra Dance Theater collection is arranged in four series:
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2001-20100.01 linear feet (1 folder, 1 oversize folder). 11.6 gigabytes (2,821 computer files)
The Performances and Rehearsals series comprises a significant portion of the collection and primarily features video recordings of performances and rehearsals, as well as photographs, soundtracks, and posters. The series is arranged alpabetically by dance or project title, with multiple performances arranged by date where applicable. In addition to full performances, there are also clips, excerpts, and performances highlighting specific company members. Fall and spring performance seasons from 2005 through 2010 are well represented in the series. Highlights from the series include a video recording of Susana Baca rehearsing with LNDT; multiple performances of Luna de Miel featuring dancers Victor Alexander, Ricardo J. Garcia, Veronica Guadalupe, Tony Peyla, Kirsten Shelton, and Vanessa Valecillos; and performances and rehearsals at the Pritzker Pavilion Performance in Millennium Park, Chicago from 2009.
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2002-20095.3 gigabytes (1,243 computer files)
The Special Events and Speaking Engagements series showcases video recordings and photographs of lectures and demonstrations that the company presented at local schools and national colleges, as well as festivals and awards where LNDT performed or received honors. The files are arranged chronologically.
The Lectures and Demonstrations primarily feature video recordings and photographs of LNDT's visits to local Chicago-area schools to perform and talk to young students. In addition, there are also recordings and photographs of visits to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Wisconsin, and the State University of New York College at Geneseo, New York.
The Festivals and Awards files holds video recordings and photographs of various special events separate from regular LNDT performances. Highlights include a video recording from the Joyce Awards in 2007, LNDT participating in the Spring to Dance Festival held in St. Louis, Missouri in 2008, and photographs from the Luna Negra Gala in 2009.
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2003-201013.7 gigabytes (2,835 computer files)
The Photographs series is composed of headshots, portraits, studio shoots, and website images, and are arranged chronologically. Many of the studio shoots are those of company members in motion, as well as group photographs, and individual portraits. Photographers include Audia, William Frederking, Kristie Kahns, Cheryl Mann, and Eric Young Smith.
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2005-2010
The Publicity series consists of short promotional videos created by LNDT that highlight the company's initiatives and achievements, along with recordings of television appearances, including news broadcasts and features. The Promotional Recordings are arranged chronologically and include various cuts and edits of the footage created by the company. The Television Appearances are arranged alphabetically, and include such highlights as two features on station WTTW11 Chicago's Arts Across Illinois; and two segments from WGN Morning News.