IDENTIFICATION AND BIO:
Susan Marshall is a highly lauded postmodern choreographer who formed her own troupe, Susan Marshall & Company, in 1982. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Arthur Armijo served as a prominent member of the company and as Marshall's resident muse. Arms (1984), the duet they frequently performed together, became a signature piece. After Armijo died of AIDS in 1993, Marshall made Central Figure (1994) for Lyon Opera Ballet in his memory. Marshall's Standing Duet (1993), performed by Armijo and Andrew Boynton, not to mention Spectators at an Event (1994) and Fields of View (1994), also deal with AIDS themes. Marshall was awarded a MacArthur Foundation "genius" Fellowship in the year 2000.
KEY CONTACT PERSON(S)/EXECUTOR OF ESTATE:
Susan Marshall
Susan Marshall & Company
c/o Rena Shagan, Agent
rena@shaganarts.com
Tia Levinson, Managing Director
Susan Marshall & Company
269 Peekskill Hollow Road
Putnam Valley, NY 10579
845-528-7028
tia@levinsonarts.com
HUMAN REPOSITORIES OF THE WORK
(name and contact info, relationship to the artist and the work, assessment):
Susan Marshall; the Lyon Opera Ballet dancers; members of Susan Marshall & Company.
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
(location, format, condition, assessment):
Central Figure was videotaped at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in 1997 as danced by the Lyon company. The documentation is available for viewing at the Pillow. In addition, the Dance Collection of the New York Public Library holds the following videotape:
Central Figure (1994)—videorecording of choreography by Susan Marshall and danced by the Lyon Opera Ballet; music by Philip Glass (String Quartet No. 5); videotaped in performance at the Opera de Lyon in Lyon, France on 9 and 10 April; one 3/4 in. videocassette (53 min.); call number MGZIC 9-5075.
PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION
(location, format, condition, assessment):
A photograph of Central Figure by Bruce R. Feeley of the New York Times appears with the 28 July 1997 review.
MOVEMENT NOTATION
(location, type [including notes taken by dancers], assessment):
None identified.
PRODUCTION MATERIALS
(scores, sound recordings, set/costume designs):
All production materials are in the possession of Susan Marshall & Company.
ORAL HISTORY:
None.
PERSONAL PAPERS
(location of newspaper clippings, printed programs, press releases, notes, files, diaries; assessment):
Susan Marshall holds her own personal papers. In addition, the Dance Collection of the New York Public Library maintains a clipping file for "Marshall, Susan," call number MGZR.
IMMEDIATE NEEDS
(archival assistance? storage? other?):
Notation.
LIST OR OVERVIEW OF WORKS
(title, premiere date, music, production notes, performers):
Marshall's AIDS-related works are as follows:
Standing Duet (1993)—duet for Arthur Armijo and Andrew Boynton.
Spectators at an Event (1994)
Fields of View (1994)
Central Figure (1994)—for Lyon Opera Ballet, in memory of Arthur Armijo.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- Felciano, Rita. 1995. "Summer Visitors and Natives." DanceView. Washington, D.C. (13) 1 (Autumn): 27-29, illus.
- Jowitt, Deborah. 1993. "Falling" [review of Susan Marshall's Standing Duet]. Village Voice (12 January).
- Kisselgoff, Anna. 1994. "A Choreographer’s Meditations on Death and Loss" [review of Susan Marshall's Spectators at an Event and Fields of View]. New York Times (14 November).
- __________. 1997. "American Modernism with Gallic Inclinations." New York Times (28 July).
- Smith, Amanda. 1997. "Reviews, National: Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival." Dance Magazine (November): 97-98, illus.
- Sulcas, Roslyn. 1994. "Lyon Opera Ballet." Dance Magazine (September): 94-95, illus.
- Whitford, Susan. 1998. "Reviews: One Stands Out." Dance Australia 95 (April/May): 59.
