Lori Belilove, artistic director and founder of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation & Company, has worked to pass on Duncan’s grace, power, and mastery of weight to future generations. Belilove received direct instruction from Duncan’s original troupe of six young dancers, known as her “Isadorables.” The group included Anna Duncan, born Anna Denzler, who was one of the most dedicated of the six—she never studied another dance technique, and was called "a key keeper of the flame." In this program, Belilove explores the life story of Anna Duncan through images and rare films, from Anna’s early age of five auditioning for Isadora Duncan’s school in Grunewald, Germany to her last days as a saleswoman at Saks Fifth Avenue and Brentano’s bookstore. The program honors her contribution to the legacy of Isadora Duncan with surprise performances that were Anna’s signature.

For more than 10 years, The Dance Historian Is In at the Library for the Performing Arts has highlighted a diverse range of dancers and choreographers across history. This series began when archivist and historian David Vaughan started volunteering at the Jerome Robbins Dance Division. Vaughan began a monthly program showing his favorite dance films from the Division's extensive collection, through which he unearthed many treasures, and helped acquire even more. Vaughan continued the series until the end of his life. Today, we honor his memory and work by inviting dance historians from all over the world each month to carry on the tradition of highlighting dance history through the Dance Division's moving image collection.

This event will take place online via Zoom as well as in person at The Library for the Performing Arts.

*A streaming link will be emailed to everyone on the morning of the event for those wishing to attend virtually.

Click here to Register to attend online or in person.