Ruth St. Denis Papers, ca. Documents Ruth St. Denis' personal life and professional career. Divided into eight sections; autobiographical material, including St. Denis' personal journal, history letters, and miscellaneous items folders ; writings, including addresses, essays, lectures, and poetry written by St.
Denis and others 83 folders ; information on the Denishawn era, including choreographic notes, Denishawn technique, and Denishawn schools 54 folders ; St. Denis' post-Denishawn choreographic projects, including choreographic notes, descriptions of ballets, and production arrangements l0 folders ; music scores, primarily for the choreographic works of St. Denis and Ted Shawn 17 folders ; business records, including professional materials bookings, publicity, program drafts , financial materials budgets, bank statements, contracts , and miscellaneous 51 folders ; St.
Denis Foundation, film projects, etc. Denis claimed she was born in ; Ted Shawn claimed it was ; her brother claimed it was Recent evidence presented by biographer Suzanne Shelton supports the date. As a child, Ruth practiced exercises from the Delsarte system of expression which she learned from her mother. Bonfanti tossed her out of class after only three lessons. Thus, when Ruthie Dennis embarked upon her professional career, it was with little formal training.
She even participated in a six-day bicycle race at Madison Square Garden. In she met Ted Shawn and hired him as her partner. They danced their first concert together on April 13, , and were married on August 13th of the same year. Together they founded the Denishawn schools and company, which were to thrive until Their schools, which offered a well-rounded dance education program, were established across the country. Courses included Oriental and primitive dance, ballet, ethnic and creative dance, and the Delsarte System of Expression.
Performing a repertory of spiritual, ethnic character, and music visualization dances, the Denishawn Company toured extensively in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Orient. At the close of their season, St. Denis and Shawn decided to pursue separate careers, and the era of Denishawn came to a close.
