April 22, 1999
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Kristin Kopp, Promotions Manager, (937) 775-2562
BROADWAY STAR TO CHOREOGRAPH WSU'S PRODUCTION OF BRIGADOON
For more than 50 years, Gemze de Lappe - dancer, actress and choreographer - has been closely associated with legendary
choreographer, Agnes de Mille. Born in Portsmouth, Va., de Lappe trained with the Michael Fokine Ballet and danced in Fokine's ballets at the age of 12. and Isadora Duncan School under Irma Duncan. While still a young woman, she became one of the leadi
ng members of the Agnes de Mille Dance Theatre Company and was praised by de Mille as one of the finest interpreters of her work.
On Broadway, de Lappe was the premiere dancer in Brigadoon, Oklahoma!, Carousel, and Paint Your Wagon (for which she received the prestigious Donaldson Award). In 1951, she appeared in the original Broadway production of Rodgers and Hamm erstein's The King and I, playing King Simon of Legree in Jerome Robbin's ballet sequence. In television and film, de Lappe has worked as a dancer and also a choreographer for the highly acclaimed revivals of Finian's Rainbow, South Pac ific, and The Unsinkable Molly Brown. In 1955, she performed with Shirley Jones in a European tour of Oklahoma!, and in 1956, she danced in the film version of The King and I, starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr. She has dan ced with the American Ballet Theatre in leading roles including Lizzie Borden in Fall River Legend, Gala Performance, Billy The Kid and Fancy Free.
For thirteen years she served as artist in residence at Smith College, where she taught ballet, musical theater dance, and Isadora Duncan dance. She received an honorary doctorate from Niagara University in 1992 for her lifetime of achievement in danc e. She now travels around the world sharing the genius of Agnes de Mille with ballet companies and universities.
Wright State University
Department of Theatre Arts
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton, OH 45435-0001
(937) 775-3072
FAX (937) 775-3787
 What's New |
News Releases |
News & Calendars |