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Lisan Kay collection on Ruth St. Denis

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MS-436

Abstract

The collection consists of an inscribed book, 2 letters, and 8 newspaper and magazine clippings collected by Lisan Kay related to the life and career of modern dance pioneer Ruth St. Denis. The book is a copy of St. Denis' autobiography: Ruth St. Denis: an unfinished life, dated 1939 and inscribed to Lisan Kay in 1955. The letters relate to a visit to Kay which St. Denis had intended, but was unable to make while the clippings include newspaper and magazine photographs of St. Denis, obituaries of St. Denis' husband Ted Shawn, and a tribute to St. Denis published in Dance news on the hundredth anniversary of her birth.

Dates

  • 1920-1978
  • 1939-1978
  • Other: Date acquired: 05/04/2016

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Archives and Special Collections of McNairy Library will reproduce Special Collections material to the extent that physical condition and copyright or other legal restrictions permit. Reproduction is available in the form of photocopies and digital images. All reproduction requests must be approved by a member of the professional staff. Decisions will take into account the type and condition of the binding, the brittleness of the paper, the size and the general size and fragility of the item.

Conditions Governing Use

Archives and Special Collections adheres to the provisions of the 1976 Copyright Act and amendments, and follows the minimum standards of educational fair use established under Section 107. In applying these standards, Archives and Special Collections will copy up to 10% of a copyrighted work if the copy is to be used for the purpose of private study, scholarship or research. The department will not copy for the purpose of public performance. Physical condition permitting, the department will copy more than 10% of a copyrighted work only with the written permission of the copyright holder. Multiple copies are not permitted under fair use. For authored works created since 1978, copyright lasts from the creation of the work until 70 years after the author's death. The expiration term for corporate, anonymous, or pseudonymous works is 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever occurs first. For works published before 1978, with a copyright notice, the maximum duration of copyright protection is 75 years. Works published before 1978 without a copyright notice are assumed to be in the public domain. Since March 1, 1989, a copyright notice is no longer necessary. Archives and Special Collections reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

Biographical or Historical Information

Born Elizabeth Hathaway in Conneaut, Ohio to Reverend Jay and Lisbeth Pond Hathaway, Lisan Kay was an internationally known ballet dancer, dance teacher, and choreographer. In 1932, she won the Sali Lobel Scholarship to The First International Summer School of Dance in Buxton, England. The dean of judges for the competition was Ruth St. Denis, who became her mentor. After touring Europe, Egypt, Palestine, the United States, Canada, and Cuba from 1932 to 1940 in partnership with Yeichi Nimura, Kay became a permanent faculty member at the Ballet Arts School in Carnegie Hall. She continued to dance professionally from time to time and choreographed a number of performances. In 1964, she married her former dancing partner, a marriage which lasted until his death in 1979. Lisan Kay Nimura died on August 26, 2006.

Note written by

Extent

13.00 items

Language of Materials

English

Technical Access Requirements

The processing fee for photocopying or scanning requests is $10.00/request. There is no charge for Millersville University students, faculty, or staff.

Method of Acquisition

Purchased

Title
Archon Finding Aid Title
Description rules
Other Unmapped
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
und

Repository Details

Part of the Millersville University Special Collections Repository

Contact:
9 North George Street
McNairy Library, PO Box 1002
Millersville University
Millersville 17551-302 US
717-871-7134