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Creator
Strelska, Vera, 1901-1989
Call number
*MGZMD 592
Physical description
0.5 linear feet (2 boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
Vera Strelska collection, *MGZMD 592. 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.

Vera Strelska (1901-1989) was a Ukrainian ballet dancer who performed in companies in both Russia and the United States. The collection, dated from 1899 to 1971, consists of a biographical note, clippings, correspondence, costume designs and illustrations by Strelska, personal and professional photographs related to Strelska, along with collected photographs of notable dancers of the time.

Biographical/historical information

Vera Strelska (alternate spellings Strielskaya, Strelskaya) was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 1901. Her early dance training began with Bronislava Nijinska, who she studied under in St. Petersburg. In 1920, Strelska's father, a Russian White Army officer, was assassinated by the Bolshevists. She and her mother escaped to Istanbul where she completed her studies.

During the 1920s and early 1930s, Strelska performed on both film and stage and was part of multiple dance companies in countries including Russia, France, Turkey, and the United States. She performed in the Ballet Moderne, the Michael Mordkin Ballet, and was prima ballerina at the Philadelphia Civic Opera. Strelska most famously partnered with Alexander Gavrilov, the premier dancer of Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes.

In 1934, Strelska experienced a car accident where she was injured. She then became a teacher, opening her own studio. Apart from having her own studio, in 1939, Strelska and Dennis Landers (a member of Ted Shawn's dance company) established a studio in Washington D.C., and in 1940 the two were married.

Strelska died at her home in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, on April 27, 1989, at age 88.

Scope and arrangement

The Vera Strelska collection consists of personal and professional items from Vera Strelska's life between the years of 1899 and 1971.

The collection contains clippings about Strelska's dance achievements and correspondence from friends and family members. It also includes Strelska's personal sketches and costume designs she created for ballet and opera productions.

There are several folders of photographs, including professional photographs of Strelska in costume, and personal photographs, some of which were taken when she visited Tamiment Resort in 1936 and 1937. There are also photographs collected by Strelska of other prominent dancers of her time, with many autographed photographs inscribed to Strelska herself.

Finally, the collection houses a scrapbook containing photographs, clippings, and programs documenting Strelska's professional achievements.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.

Administrative information

Custodial history

The collection was compiled by Sam Reimert, then given to Barry Landers, who donated it to the Kansas City Ballet Archives. Lois Kauffman, the archivist for the Kansas City Ballet Archives, then donated the collection to NYPL.

Source of acquisition

Donated by Lois Kauffman in 2020.

Processing information

Processed by Abigail Donnelly in 2026.

Related Material

Lila Hollin collection on Vera Strelska, *MGZMD 590. 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