The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1950-02-02
TED SHAWN DANCE
CONCERT TONIGHT
BY DOROTHY RAYMER

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There is one world famous
celebrity who, sincerely, does not
want to be lionized. l mean Ted
Shawn. international dance star,
who is slated to gvie a dance
concert tonight at the Key West
High School Auditorium at 8
p. m.
In an interview with Mr.
Shawn, late yesterday, ! didn't
show a notebook and pencil at
first. After introductions, CONVEX
sation simply drifted into the
paths of interest.
'It's a relief" said Mr.. Shawn,
Just to relax in the friendly
atmosphere of Key West. l sup
pose I'm i'm good company when /
say that. After all, there's Presi-
dent Truman who likes your city
for the same reason"
Shawn says that in spite of the
romantic full moon, due tonight,
that he is glad the dance recital
will be held indoors at the High
School Auditorium. He's had
some very funny, but distressing
experiences with out-of-door per-
formances. The first ones, in
which he and his wife, Ruth St
Denis. appeared, were in the
Hollywood Bowl, the Greek
Theater at Berkeley, California,
and at the Lewiston Stadium in
New York.
The latter was most difficult.
Dressing rooms were set up in
tent and the troupe were in
eternal dread that a high wind
would come along and lift the
protection entirely. The nearest
water source was several blocks
away. Since Shawn had to wash
off his body makeup between
numbers. he had to have a gall
vanized tub of water put into the
tent for removal of makeup
Seven times during that sched-
ule. he put on his complete and
very complicated makeup for the
dances. But for only three actual
appearancesl The other four
times. rain stopped the show.
That's why he prefers indoor con-
Certsi
Ia presenting dance recitals
and lectures. Shawn says one or
the other IS simpler. The COM
blnntion Of the two is hazardous.
Like a football star, or any other
athlete. a dancer must warm up
for some time before going into
action IN order that muscle CO.
ordination may be smooth. When
be- has 60 stand for half an hour
or more, talking, and then go
into a dance demonstration,
Shawn says" The muscles are
apt 90 become set and the flow oil
coordination Is upset"
IN Shawn's concert tonight, nc
lecture Is required. he make.
nine swift changes. No music is
sandwiched between the num-
bers People like to talk a little
90 relax. 20 comment and discuss
what has been done and what is
b. be, )" Shawn said.
Sound equipment, lighting eff
fccts and business details are at
tended 90 by John Christian, t
whom Shawn gives fifty per cent
Of the credit for his current sue.
cess.
Recording by special compos
ers are utilized. After II pianist,
la five years, Shawn decided
that a set musical background
would dove-tail with his dances
Is by far the best. As Christian
put Il. Music and the dance
must be completely one. so tina
movement and theme are uniteC
perfectly"
Shawn nodded assent and add
ed. My experienced composer
and the dances l do are timed +
a split second so that it is S
exact, I don't even have to thin
about the musical background
Or any other distortion"
In discussion of music an
dancing. I recalled when, inspil
cd by a performance of Isador
Duncan. had swirled around
ny grandmother's blue motorin
veil. accompanied by my siste
on the Player piano, much
the delight of the neighborhoo
audience. / might add, and vii
10 the horror of my grandparent
Shawn burst into laughter. H
topped my story with one of h
own concerning an electio
piano PLAYER in a town Gale
Lodi. California.
One dance which was part
the repertoire at the Town Hot
was done to Astacatto Rubel
stein selection. At the time, TIE
Shawn was on tour in come
ton with a once famous electr
Piano Player company. His jc
was 10 show that dancing lesSol
could be taught with the Play