Louis Johnson papers, 1930-2020, bulk 1950-2020

Collection context

Creator:
Johnson, Louis, 1930-2020
Abstract:
Louis Johnson (1930 - 2020) was an African American dancer, choreographer, director, and teacher. This collection includes address books, administrative records, autobiographical writing, correspondence, costume designs, notes, notebooks, photographs, posters, programs, publicity, and audio and visual recordings.
Extent:
29 Linear Feet (47 boxes (26 document boxes (Boxes 1-17, 20, 22-24, 28-32), 14 record boxes (Boxes 25-27, 35-45), 5 flat boxes (Boxes 18-19, 21, 33-34), 2 poster tubes (Boxes 46-47), and 3 items in mapcase)
Language:
The collection is primarily in English with a few newspaper clippings in German.
Scope and content:

The records in this collection are arranged into 8 series, derived primarily from Johnson's own curriculum vitae found in the collection. In this document he separates his work into categories based on his role in productions that have been in turn used to create the collection series: Ballet, Choreography, Director, Performer, Teaching and Consulting, Professional Materials, Personal Materials, and Audio/Visual Materials. The Ballet, Choreography, Director, and Performer series are organized primarily by production title. The Teaching and Consulting series is organized by educational institution and, where applicable, production title. There is some overlap between these Series as some of the versions of productions for which Johnson served as director or choreographer were also performed by one of said educational institutions. The Professional Materials series covers the Louis Johnson Dance Theatre Ensemble, and non-production-specific materials. The material in these series range from the 1950s, when Johnson primarily worked as a performer in Broadway and musical theater, to 2003 when he retired from his role at Henry Street Settlement.

The Personal Materials series includes material in the collection not immediately connected to Johnson's work and includes materials from the 1940s when Johnson lived with his family in Washington D.C. to the late 2010s after his retirement. The Audio/Visual series contains a mixture of professional and personal recordings. The bulk of the professional A/V material comes from the 1970s to the 2000s whereas the personal A/V material is largely from the 1990s and 2000s.

Biographical / historical:

Louis Johnson (1930 - 2020) was an African American dancer, choreographer, director, and teacher. He was born in Statesville, North Carolina, shortly after which his family moved to Washington D.C. Johnson's interest in dance arose from taking gymnastics classes at the YMCA and in high school he enrolled in the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet. Doris W. Jones and Claire Haywood encouraged Johnson to move to New York after high school where he enrolled in the New York City School of American Ballet, where he was mentored by Jerome Robbins and George Balachine. Best remembered for choreographing the film version of The Wiz (1978), Johnson had a long career as a dancer in ballet and musical theater, first gaining attention for his roles in Robbins' ballet Ballade (1952) and the 1955 Broadway productions of Damn Yankees and House of Flowers. Johnson would later say that, like many of his contemporaries, he sought work on Broadway because opportunities for Black ballet dancers were extremely limited. Johnson was quickly sought after for his skills as a choreographer of ballet, musical theater, and opera. His ballet Lament remains a signature work performed frequently by his own companies, the Alvin Ailey company, and more. He was hired by the Metropolitan Opera to choreograph the ballet portion of a new production of Aida which premiered in 1973 and was used in the televised 1985 production that featured the final performance of Black opera singer Leontyne Price.

Johnson had a long commitment to teaching dance, particularly to children. In a Ballet Review interview, Johnson recalls how as early as the 1960s he began renting out space in the Harlem YMCA and teaching classes for children and teens, in part to develop his own productions. Johnson would later start the Dance Department at Howard University and served as the director of the dance department at Henry Street Settlement from 1985 to 2003. At Henry Street he taught classes, ran his adult dance company, the Louis Johnson Dance Theatre Ensemble, and the children's ensemble Henry Street Kids. He frequently collaborated with contemporary Black dance companies such as Arthur Mitchell's Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, and was co-director of the D.C. Black Repertory Dance Company with Mike Malone from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Two folders in this collection are restricted: Box 14, Folder 4 "Student Essays" (restricted until 2084) and Box 24, Folder 6 "Letter of Recommendation" (restricted until 2104).

This collection is located on-site.

Audiovisual and digital media is not fully processed. If you would like to use these materials, please contact the library in advance of your visit to discuss access options.

Terms of access:

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Name of Collection; Box and Folder (if known); Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
Contact:
rbml@library.columbia.edu