Paul Szilard papers, 1938-1996 and undated

1938-1996 and undated

Paul Szilard was born in 1912 in Budapest, Hungary. He studied ballet in his home city with the Russian dancer Semyon Troyanoff with whom he also performed. His training continued in Paris with Russian émigrés teachers, including Olga Preobrajenska, Madame Rousanne, and Alexandre Volinine, and, in London, with Stanislas Idzikowski. World War II years were spent in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation. After the American liberation of the islands, Szilard was asked by the United States Army to present a gala celebratory evening for which he both choreographed and danced. Szilard has toured worldwide with such notable performers as Nora Kaye, Collette Marchand, Sonia Arova, among others. As an impresario, he has presented performing troupes internationally, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Dancers of Bali, and Bunraku Puppet Theater. Individual dance artists he has represented include Eric Bruhn, Judith Jamison, Violette Verdy, and Patrick Dupond. His autobiography, Under My Wings: My Life as an Impresario, was published in 2001. He emigrated to the United States, becoming a citizen in the 1950's, and currently lives in New York City.