Ronald Field papers
Field, Ronald, 1934-1989
(S) *MGZMD 296
.67 linear feet (2 boxes)
Ronald Field papers, Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library.
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
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Ronald Field was a dancer and choreographer. Documenting Field's professional career, his papers contain correspondence, photographs, programs, reviews and scripts relating to his various projects and performances.
Ronald Field was a dancer and choreographer. He was born in 1934 in New York, New York. Field began his dance career as a child. His aunt was a dance teacher, and he took lessons with her. In 1941, he made his Broadway debut in Lady in the Dark. At the age of 18, he toured with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. He danced in a few more ensembles throughout the 1940s and 1950s before deciding to focus on choreography. His first two efforts were unsuccessful, but he won his first Tony Award in 1967 for Cabaret. Field also worked on projects such as the 44th Annual Academy Awards telecast in 1972, and the opening ceremonies for the 1986 Los Angeles Olympics. In 1977, he choreographed the film New York, New York. Field was nominated for several more Tony Awards throughout his career, winning two in 1970 for Applause. That same year, he also won two Drama Desk Awards for Applause. On February 6, 1989, Field died of brain lesions.
The Ronald Field papers (1954-1988) contain correspondence, photographs, programs, reviews and scripts relating to his various projects and performances. These materials examine Field's award-winning career and the development processes of his dance productions. Included in the correspondence are brief letters from the American theatrical producer Harold Smith about Ashmedai, and from International Creative Management, a talent and literary agency, regarding Cabaret. There are also a large number of telegrams from family members and friends sent for the opening of Nowhere To Go But Up. The photographs are mainly of performances, but there are several headshots and a few personal photos. In the biographical information, there is a transcription of a 1978, in-depth interview conducted with Field about his career.
The collection is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Gift of the estate of Ronald Field, 1992.
Compiled by Joyce LeeAnn Joseph, Pratt Institute, 2012.
The collection is organized by project or specific subject and arranged alphabetically. When possible, original folders and folder labels were preserved. Non-obscure clippings were deaccessioned, such as those from the New York Times and Village Voice. Duplicate photographs were returned to the Library for the Performing Arts. Additions to the collection, including programs and a scrapbook compiled by Phyllis Goodman, were cataloged individually as part of the Performing Arts Research Collection.
American drama -- 20th century
Choreographers -- United States
Male dancers
For permission to publish, contact the Curator, Jerome Robbins Dance Division.