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Creator
Kinch, Myra
Call number
(S) *MGZMD 205
Physical description
2 linear feet (4 boxes)
Preferred Citation

Myra Kinch Papers, (S)*MGZMD 205. 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.

The Myra Kinch papers contain handwritten choreographic notes, photographs, and scores relating to the career of noted choreographer and dancer, Myra Kinch.

Biographical/historical information

Myra Kinch was born in 1904. A graduate of UCLA, she trained as a dancer with Muriel Stuart, Eugenia Eduardova, and Vincenzo Celli. She also studied abroad in Germany in the 1920s. In the 1930s, Kinch returned to the United States to become director and choreographer of the West Coast Dance Project of the Federal Theater Project, a program created under the New Deal. In 1948 Kinch was named head of the modern dance department at the Jacob’s Pillow dance school and summer festival, where she remained for twenty five years. Kinch’s dance repertoire was composed of satires. She lampooned diverse subjects like a weary circus dancer, a family of acrobats, and stereotypes of classic ballet. Myra Kinch died in Bonita Springs, Florida in 1981 at the age of 77.

Scope and arrangement

The Myra Kinch Papers primarily consist of handwritten choreography notes for many of Kinch’s dance compositions. The collection also includes photographs of her works being performed, as well as photographs of Kinch herself. Handwritten scores created to accompany Kinch’s dance compositions are also represented in the collection.

The Myra Kinch papers are arranged in three series:

  • Series I: Choreographic Notes, undated

    This series contains handwritten notation describing in detail many of Kinch’s dance compositions. These are often drafts in pencil, bound in notebook form. Though undated, most of these materials range from 1940-1970.

  • Series II: Photographs
    1920-1930

    Photographs primarily consist of documentation of individual dances being performed, both by Kinch and by members of her dance ensembles. There are also some personal photographs of Kinch included in this series.

  • Series III: Scores
    1956

    Scores include handwritten sheet music used to accompany several of Kinch’s dance compositions. Most are pencil drafts, and the scores are uncredited to any one composer.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

The Myra Kinch Papers were donated to the libarary as a gift from the Myra Kinch estate.

Processing information

Processed by Lea Jordan; Machine-readable finding aid created by Lea Jordan.

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

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, contact the Curator, Jerome Robbins Dance Division.

Alternative form available

{manditory if applicable - statement regarding availability of collection on microfil, in published form, etc.}manditory if applicable - statement regarding availability of collection on microfil, in published form, etc.