Welser, Lyle: Dance Class Papers (MS 521)

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The Lyle Welser Dance Class Papers contain materials believed to have been created for a dance class that Ted Shawn created and taught as a professor at the International YMCA Training School (now Springfield College) during the 1932-1933 school year. Lyle Welser was a student at Springfield College during this period, graduating in 1933, and took this class. Ted Shawn, often regarded as one of the fathers of modern dance, developed his famous Men Dancers troop using Springfield College students, including fellow student Wilbur McCormick (Class of 1934). Lyle Welser was one of 7 Springfield College students who danced at the Repertory Theatre in Boston performances held during the week of March 20, 1933. These were some of the first performances where Shawn presented His Men Dancers. A copy of the program signed by Ted Shawn is within the collection. Also in the collection are a couple of newspaper articles on Ted Shawn and, making up the bulk of the collection, materials, including handwritten notes, syllabus, and sheet music/dance directions, from the dance class that Ted Shawn taught at Springfield College in 1932-1933 school year.