Beverly Schmidt Blossom
Encyclopedia
Beverly Schmidt Blossom is an American modern dancer, choreographer and teacher. She was an original member and soloist with the Alwin Nikolais
Dance Theatre, a modern dance
choreographer for Illinois Dance Theatre, Blossom & Co. and others, and a Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
from Roosevelt University
, Chicago, and a master’s degree in dance from Sarah Lawrence College
in Bronxville, New York
.1
and Phyllis Lamhut.4 She then produced concerts of her own choreography in New York in the l960s, participating in the development of the Filmstage theatre of actor/poet Roberts Blossom
, to whom she was married from l966 to l970.2
, New York State Council for the Arts, Illinois Arts Council
, and private foundations.1
, Massachusetts “Splash” Festival, and at the Joyce Theatre l989 showcase “Womanworks.”2
in The New York Times, who further described the artist: “A zany, hilarious goof of a clown, Miss Blossom is also a tragic figure of great dignity, bringing an audience to tears and laughter as her dances ravel and unravel, simultaneously, before one’s eyes.” (1985)
studied with Blossom during Monk's junior and senior years at Sarah Lawrence College
. According to Peter Sciscioli, Assistant Manager for Meredith Monk/The House Foundation, "She was very important to her as an artist and person."3
She continues to be a mentor to Henning Rübsam
, who first studied with her at the Nikolais studio and then performed her work starting in 1994.
Other interpreters of Blossom's dances include Betsy Fisher, Cynthia Pipkin-Doyle and Christine Reisner.5
Alwin Nikolais
Alwin Nikolais was an American choreographer.Nikolais studied piano at an early age and began his performing career as an organist accompanying silent films. As a young artist, he gained skills in scenic design, acting, puppetry and music composition...
Dance Theatre, a modern dance
Modern dance
Modern dance is a dance form developed in the early 20th century. Although the term Modern dance has also been applied to a category of 20th Century ballroom dances, Modern dance as a term usually refers to 20th century concert dance.-Intro:...
choreographer for Illinois Dance Theatre, Blossom & Co. and others, and a Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
Training
She holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal artsLiberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
from Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University is a coeducational, private university with campuses in Chicago, Illinois and Schaumburg, Illinois. Founded in 1945, the university is named in honor of both former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The university's curriculum is based on...
, Chicago, and a master’s degree in dance from Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college in the United States, and a leader in progressive education since its founding in 1926. Located just 30 minutes north of Midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County, New York, in the city of Yonkers, this coeducational college offers...
in Bronxville, New York
Bronxville, New York
Bronxville is an affluent village within the town of Eastchester, New York, in the United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located approximately north of midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County. At the 2010 census, Bronxville had a population of 6,323...
.1
New York Career
She was a principal dancer of the Alwin Nikolais Dance Theatre from 1953 to 1963, dancing alongside Murray LouisMurray Louis
Murray Louis is an American modern dancer and choreographer. He grew up in Manhattan, not far from Henry Street where his company was to be founded years later. At the same time, his sister took him to many of the early modern dance concerts. After his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Mr...
and Phyllis Lamhut.4 She then produced concerts of her own choreography in New York in the l960s, participating in the development of the Filmstage theatre of actor/poet Roberts Blossom
Roberts Blossom
Roberts Scott Blossom was an American theater, film and television actor and poet. He is best known for his roles as Old Man Marley in Home Alone and as Ezra Cobb in the horror film Deranged...
, to whom she was married from l966 to l970.2
University of Illinois
Blossom was Professor of Dance at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana from l967 to l990 and is currently a Professor Emeritus. She has choreographed and performed more than l00 works and has received numerous grants from the National Endowment for the ArtsNational Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
, New York State Council for the Arts, Illinois Arts Council
Illinois Arts Council
The Illinois Arts Council is a government agency of the state of Illinois formed to encourage development of the arts throughout Illinois. Founded in 1965 by the Illinois General Assembly, the Illinois Arts Council provides financial and technical assistance to artists, arts organizations, and...
, and private foundations.1
Solo career
She renewed her career as a performer, presenting her solo works at the l988 Jacob's PillowJacob's Pillow
Jacob’s Pillow Dance is a dance center, school and performance space located in Becket, Massachusetts, in the Berkshires. The organization is known for the oldest internationally acclaimed summer dance festival in the United States. The facility also includes a professional school and extensive...
, Massachusetts “Splash” Festival, and at the Joyce Theatre l989 showcase “Womanworks.”2
Reviews
Ms. Blossom was called “a rare performer” by Jennifer DunningJennifer Dunning
Jennifer Dunning is a writer and critic for the New York Times on the subjects of dance and ballet. She is the author of the 1985 But First a School: The First Fifty Years of the School of American Ballet, the 1996 Alvin Ailey, a Life in Dance and the 1997 Great Performances: A...
in The New York Times, who further described the artist: “A zany, hilarious goof of a clown, Miss Blossom is also a tragic figure of great dignity, bringing an audience to tears and laughter as her dances ravel and unravel, simultaneously, before one’s eyes.” (1985)
Retirement
Since her retirement, Beverly Blossom has choreographed for her own company (Blossom & Co. Inc.), in addition to guest performing and teaching. 1 2 She currently lives and works in Chicago, in the South Loop.14Students
Meredith MonkMeredith Monk
Meredith Jane Monk is an American composer, performer, director, vocalist, filmmaker, and choreographer. Since the 1960s, Monk has created multi-disciplinary works which combine music, theatre, and dance, recording extensively for ECM Records.-Life and work:Meredith Monk is primarily known for her...
studied with Blossom during Monk's junior and senior years at Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college in the United States, and a leader in progressive education since its founding in 1926. Located just 30 minutes north of Midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County, New York, in the city of Yonkers, this coeducational college offers...
. According to Peter Sciscioli, Assistant Manager for Meredith Monk/The House Foundation, "She was very important to her as an artist and person."3
She continues to be a mentor to Henning Rübsam
Henning Rübsam
Henning Rübsam is a choreographer and dancer based in New York City. He is the artistic director of SENSEDANCE, a resident choreographer for Hartford City Ballet, a Professor at The Juilliard School, and a visiting guest professor at Texas Academy of Ballet .-Early Life and Work:Rübsam was born in...
, who first studied with her at the Nikolais studio and then performed her work starting in 1994.
Other interpreters of Blossom's dances include Betsy Fisher, Cynthia Pipkin-Doyle and Christine Reisner.5
Awards
- 1993: New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie Award) for sustained achievement.
- 2009: Martha Hill Award for Lifetime Achievement, November 30, 2009 at The Cathedral in New York City. Murray Louis was Master of CeremoniesMaster of CeremoniesA Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
and Jennifer Dunning presented the award.