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IDENTIFICATION AND BIO: A choreographer versed in ballet and African-American social dance genres, Billy Wilson primarily created works for the theater and for four concert dance companies: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theater of Harlem, Dayton Contemporary Dance Ensemble, and Philadanco. His stage career began at the age of seven in Philadelphia. By the age of 17 Wilson was a full-fledged professional appearing at Club Harlem, also in Philadelphia. Moving to New York, he studied with Karel Shook and at the Katherine Dunham School. His career led him to Europe, where he performed as a soloist for the Dutch National Ballet (1961-65), and where he made dances in multiple genres. Returning to the U.S., he taught at Brandeis University and Carnegie-Mellon University and created works for the New York stage including Bubbling Brown Sugar (1975), for which he was nominated for a Tony. In the 1980s he founded Dance Theater of Boston. He died of AIDS-related causes.
KEY CONTACT PERSON(S)/EXECUTOR OF ESTATE:
(A search for Alexis Wilson produces 130 listings for A. Wilson in Manhattan.)
HUMAN REPOSITORIES OF THE WORK
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater [wide shot version] (1993)—compilation video including choreography of The Winter in Lisbon by Billy Wilson; videotaped in performance for the Jerome Robbins Archive of the Recorded Moving Image by the Camera Group; performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; three 3/4 in. videocassettes (96 min.); call number MGZIC 9-4167. "[Billy Wilson]" (196-? and later)—compilation of three recordings featuring performances or choreography by Billy Wilson, including Concerto in F; two 3/4 in. videocassettes (98 min.); call number MGZIC 9-5126. Dance Theatre of Harlem (1989)—compilation video including choreography of Mirage (The Games People Play) by Billy Wilson; performed by members of Dance Theatre of Harlem; videotaped in performance for the Jerome Robbins Archive on 3 November at Aaron Davis Hall, City College, New York; two 3/4 in. videocassettes (69 min.); call number MGZIC 9-2046. Dance Theatre of Harlem (c1994)—compilation video including choreography of Ginastera by Billy Wilson; performed by Dance Theatre of Harlem; videotaped in performance at New York State Theater, New York, on 22 March; two 3/4 in. videocassettes (87 min.); call number MGZIC 9-4178. New York Dance Festival (1980)—compilation video including choreography of Black, Brown and Blue by Billy Wilson; New York Dance Festival performance 6 and 7 September at the Delacorte Theater, New York; one BETA cassette (43 min.); call number MGZIB 3-39 Reel 1.
PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION
MOVEMENT NOTATION
PRODUCTION MATERIALS
ORAL HISTORY:
PERSONAL PAPERS
IMMEDIATE NEEDS
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:
PARTIAL LIST OR OVERVIEW OF WORKS
Nightclub acts for Cab Calloway, Nel Carter, Billy Daniels, Sergio Franchi Zoom (1969-73 or 1976-81, depending on the source)—television show Odyssey (1974)—Broadway show Bubbling Brown Sugar (1975)—Broadway show, nominated for a Tony Phoenix Rising—collaboration with Dance Theater of Harlem's Arthur Mitchell Guys and Dolls (1976)—Broadway revival, choreographed and directed Eubie (1978)—Broadway show, choreographed with Henry LeTang Stop the World I Want to Get Off (1978)—Broadway revival Stop the World I Want to Get Off (1978)—film Blues and Gone (1981)—television show Concerto in F (1981)—for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; music by Gershwin Merlin (1983)—Broadway show, choreographed with Christopher Chadman Dance a Little Closer (1983)—Broadway show Rosa (1990)—for Philadanco; a dance tribute to Rosa Parks Ginastera (1991)—for Dance Theatre of Harlem Josephine (1991)—European show, choreographed and directed The Cotton Club (1991)—London show, choreographed and directed The Winter in Lisbon (1992)—music by Dizzy Gillespie
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