Trisha Brown performing Accumulation with Talking (1973). Photograph © 1979 The Estate of Nathanial Tileston; Right: A page from the transcript of Trisha's performance of Accumulation with Talking plus Water Motor (1979) at Maison de la Culture de Woluwe, Brussles, November 1, 1979.
In a landmark move for dance preservation, the Trisha Brown Dance Company has announced the acquisition of the Trisha Brown Archives by the Jerome Robbins Dance Division of the New York Public Library. This significant partnership, coinciding with the Company’s 50th anniversary, ensures the enduring legacy of Trisha Brown, a pivotal figure in postmodern dance, for generations to come.
For further details, you can read the article in the New York Times here.
The Trisha Brown Archives represent a comprehensive collection of materials that meticulously document Brown’s innovative life and career. It encompasses her personal and professional papers alongside invaluable choreographic notes, offering deep insights into her creative process. Furthermore, the Archives include the Trisha Brown Dance Company’s records, featuring a wealth of information such as correspondence, contracts with collaborators, cue sheets for performances, detailed lighting plans, costume specifications, performance programs, striking posters, evocative photographs, and original music scores. This rich collection provides a holistic view of the operations and artistic endeavors of a major dance corporation.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of the collection is its thorough documentation of Trisha Brown’s choreographic journey, from initial concept to final performance. The Archives boast extensive audiovisual records, including full performance documentations, performances specifically created for camera, behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, and a range of audio recordings. Among these audiovisual treasures are the remarkable “Building Tapes,” numbering three hundred in total. These tapes offer an unprecedented glimpse into Brown’s unique methodology of work development within the rehearsal studio. Crucially, each Building Tape is cross-referenced with a corresponding series of Building Notebooks and scores, all of which are integral components of the acquired collection. This meticulous record-keeping is invaluable for understanding the intricate process of dance creation within a professional dance corporation setting.
The formal establishment of the Trisha Brown Archives in 2009 marked a critical step towards preserving this invaluable cultural heritage. The Trisha Brown Dance Company appointed Cori Olinghouse, a former company member, as Archive Director from 2009 to 2018. Olinghouse expertly led a dedicated team in the meticulous task of cataloguing and preserving Trisha Brown’s extensive body of work. In close collaboration with choreographer David Thomson, also a company alumnus, Cori Olinghouse spearheaded the development of the database system that continues to serve as the backbone of the Trisha Brown Archives today. The Trisha Brown Dance Company extends sincere gratitude to its archives team for their monumental dedication and labor.
The key personnel involved in making this archive a reality include:
- Anne Boissonnault, Archive Director
- Ben Houtman, Audiovisual Archivist
- David Thomson, Archive Technical Consultant
The strategic placement of the Trisha Brown Archives at the New York Public Library, a leading repository in New York City, ensures unparalleled access to these holdings for the broader dance community, academic researchers, and the general public. This level of accessibility aligns perfectly with Trisha Brown’s long-held vision for her life’s work. She would undoubtedly be delighted to know that her legacy, carefully nurtured within her dance corporation, will now be readily available for study and appreciation by all.
