archives.nypl.org -- Daniel Nagrin papers (original) (raw)

The Daniel Nagrin Papers primarily consist of correspondence and business records pertaining to Nagrin’s work both as choreographer and dancer. The collection also includes photographs of his works being performed, records for tours, writings and teaching materials, and production notes. Materials relating to the Tamiris-Nagrin Dance Company and The Workgroup, including notes and programs are also represented. A small selection of items relating to Helen Tamiris are included.

The Daniel Nagrin papers are arranged in eleven series:

• 1943-1981
  Correspondence contains both letters of a personal and business nature – often within the same letter since Nagrin's professional and personal relationships often overlapped. Much of the correspondence focuses on touring and teaching – there are letters from venues and schools interested in booking Nagrin and his various dance companies, personal letters from students who experienced a master class, and correspondence with other dancers and choreographers – sharing dance ideas and personal information.
• 1927-1958
  Includes childhood school work, service records, and other items of a personal nature. These papers are arranged chronologically because of their highly varied nature. Astrological readings, report cards, and a few items relating to Nagrin’s war work are included.
• Contains contracts, notes and other materials dealing with specific performances Nagrin participated in, either as dancer, choreographer, or both. These materials mostly reflect the contractual side of Nagrin’s career – reflected in various drafts of contracts with changes and formal requests for appearances.
• Dance notes include handwritten notations referring to choreography or dance performances given by or overseen by Nagrin. These items reflect an almost free flow of ideas to paper. All are unlabeled, but most are dated. Usually there is no indication to which work the notes correspond.
• 1960-1972
  This series includes the records of both the Tamiris-Nagrin Dance Company and The Workgroup. Materials include promotional items, articles directly referencing the companies and other memorabilia. Standard flyers, biographies of the group to be used in print media, and advertising compose the bulk of this series.
• Include papers, articles and speeches written by Nagrin for various events and publications. Nagrin was occasionally asked to speak at commencements or compose articles for various dance magazines on technique, the art of choreography, or dance itself. Some of the speeches remain in a handwritten, informal format.
• This series includes lecture notes and other items pertaining to Nagrin’s engagements as a teacher or lecturer at various institutions. The materials are sorted by school name and include but are not limited to: class lists, schedules, lecture notes, forms for grading, handbooks for teaching at a specific institution, and advertising materials sent out by the universities, colleges, and dance academies. Nagrin often took guest teaching positions for only a semester or two, often working around his touring schedule.
• Business Records include contracts, bills, payment agreements and other materials relating to the financial aspect of Daniel Nagrin’s career. Expenses relating to space rental, costuming, basic travel, housing and lodging, and even materials relating to the subletting of Nagrin’s apartment are covered within this series. Invoices for services (both Nagrin’s and others), notices and other items of a financial nature are represented.
• Includes itineraries, hotel bookings, notations and programs from Nagrin’s various overseas tours. Often Nagrin’s maps and guides he personally used remain with the materials. Thank you notes from the schools and venues visited and souvenir post cards are typically included. Of interest are the occasional hand written notations about how a specific audience received a program. Arranged by the country or city visited on each stop.
• Programs and clippings contain theatrical playbills, flyers, and performance lists for shows in which Daniel Nagrin was a participant. Some, but not many reviews are included. The bulk of the materials are programs – from Nagrin’s solo shows as well as those in which he appeared as a featured dancer, including Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway. Newspaper clippings advertising these performances and reviews are also contained in this series.
• This series contains documents belonging to Daniel Nagrin’s wife, Helen Tamiris. Organized chronologically, it includes personal items, flyers, and limited correspondence. Personal photographs are also contained in this series – some dating back to Tamiris’ childhood and her time as a dancer as a very young adult. A large number of Tamiris’s work contracts are also included, and are separated and arranged chronologically.