NAME: Erickson, Carey

BIRTH DATE/LOCATION:
27 July 1950, Richmond, Indiana

DEATH DATE/LOCATION:
13 December 1990, Chris Brownless Annex Hospice, Los Angeles, age 40

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Photo: Carey Erickson, courtesy of Richard Erickson.

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  • identification & bio
  • key contact
  • human repositories
  • video documentation
  • photographic documentation
    		•
  • movement notation
  • production materials
  • oral history
  • personal papers
  • immediate needs
    		•
  • other relevant information
  • overview of works
  • bibliography
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    IDENTIFICATION AND BIO:
    Carey Erickson was a dancer and choreographer who created works for both abled and disabled dancers. After earning his B.A. at the University of Illinois – Champaign Urbana, where he was mentored by Beverly Blossom, and a master's degree in dance from California Institute for the Arts, Erickson went on to train in New York City with Hanya Holm, Viola Farber, and Maggie Black. He choreographed and danced in New York before he was left paralyzed by a diving accident in 1983 (in which he suffered a broken neck). During his incapacitation, he choreographed for the Manhattan Performance Ensemble's "Spinal Series," making dances for a group of wheelchair-bound performance artists. After his four months of rehabilitation he fully recovered, and was able to continue creating dances and performance art. He died of AIDS-related causes.

    KEY CONTACT PERSON(S)/EXECUTOR OF ESTATE:
    Erickson was survived by his father, Vedick, his brother, Richard, of Los Angeles, and three sisters, Lynn St. John, Loren Ballard, and Leslie Johnson, all of the Chicago area. His father, the original executor, has since died. Leslie Johnson is the current executor.

    Richard Erickson, brother
    750 South Sycamore
    Los Angeles, CA 90036
    310-643-7900 (work)
    rerickson@weoneil.com

    HUMAN REPOSITORIES OF THE WORK
    (name and contact info, relationship to the artist and the work, assessment):
    Nanette DeCillis, dancer
    718-643-6817 (work)
    nanette@artscetera.com

    Other dancers who knew or worked with Erickson include Joe Pupello, Suchi Bronfman, Deborah Oliver, and Donald Byrd.

    VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
    (location, format, condition, assessment):
    The Dance Collection of the New York Public Library holds the following videotapes:

    Choreographers Showcase (c1979)—Carey Erickson's 7 min. solo Passing Through: A Night in Kansas City (abbreviated version) documented at Dance Theater Workshop along with several works by other choreographers; videotaped in performance at American Theatre Laboratory, New York, 20 November 1979, by Video D. Studios; first of two 3/4 in. videocassettes; call number MGZIC 9-6111.

    Fresh Tracks (c1988)—Carey Erickson's 17 min. Regret/Loss/Response, documented in performance at Dance Theater Workshop's Bessie Schoenberg Theater, New York, 13 December 1988, by Video D Studios; choreography and text by Erickson; music by J.S. Bach, Bily Swindler; lyrics by Nanette DeCillis, Carey Erickson, Tony Noll, Joseph Pupello; performed by Carey Erickson with Joseph Pupello and Mr. X [dog]; second of two 3/4 in. videocassettes; call number MGZIC 9-6101.

    PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION
    (location, format, condition, assessment):
    Richard Erickson is contacting family members to find out the location of further documentation.

    MOVEMENT NOTATION
    (location, type [including notes taken by dancers], assessment):
    None identified.

    PRODUCTION MATERIALS
    (scores, sound recordings, set/costume designs):
    None identified.

    ORAL HISTORY:
    None identified.

    PERSONAL PAPERS
    (location of newspaper clippings, printed programs, press releases, notes, files, diaries; assessment):
    The Dance Collection of the New York Public Library holds a clippings file for "Erickson, Carey," call number MGZR.

    IMMEDIATE NEEDS
    (archival assistance? storage? other?):
    None identified.

    OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:
    None identified.

    LIST OR OVERVIEW OF WORKS
    (title, premiere date, music, production notes, performers):
    Not available.

    BIBLIOGRAPHY:

    • Dalva, Nancy Vreeland. 1984. "Friends Stage Benefit for Injured Dancer." Dance Magazine (March): 12-14.
    • Dance USA. 1991. "Obituaries: Carey Erickson" (March/April): 7.
    • New York Times. 1990. "Carey Erickson, Dancer and Choreographer, 40" (12 December).
         		 
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