Arthur Mahoney

Arthur Mahoney (19 July 1904 — 3 August 1985), born in Boston, was a ballet, modern, jazz, flamenco, and 18th century court dancer. 
Mahoney was inspired to become a ballet dancer upon seeing a magazine photo of Vaslav Nijinsky. He then moved to New York and studied ballet with Luigi Alberteri, ballet master at the Metropolitan Opera, where in 1926 at age 19, he received his first professional engagement and his debut as soloist in “La Vestale” by Gaspare Spontini.http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=94000 Retrieved August 1, 2020 Mahoney danced with the Metropolitan Opera for two seasons.
Paris 1928-29, Mahoney studied with Bronislava Nijinska and joined Ida Rubenstein's Ballet company. At this time he met his future wife Thalia Mara, who was also studying ballet with Nijinska, as well as with Nicholas Legat and Olga Preobrajenska.
In 1935, Mahoney joined the faculty of the Julliard School as its dance director. 
(c1944?) Mahoney and Thalia Mara, founded and became artistic directors of the School of Dance Arts at Carnegie Hall
In 1947, Mahoney and Thalia Mara became managing directors at Jacob’s Pillow during Ted Shawn's leave of absence. They created a resident dance company, “Ballet Repertory” with a group of approximately 18 dancers of equal status. “The Dance: summer Casts Shadows Before, New Directors for Jacob’s Pillow” John Martin. The New York Times (19 January 1947) 
In 1962, Mahoney and Mara founded the National Academy of Ballet and Theater Arts.
==Performances (Selection)==
1926 	Metropolitan Opera: Debut dancing in “La Vestale” by Gaspare Spontini http://archives.metoperafamily.org/archives/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=BibSpeed/fullcit.w?xCID=94000 Retrieved August 1, 2020
1927 	Philadelphia Academy of Music: repeat of “La Vestale”https://www.yumpu.com/it/document/read/10068918/opera-in-philadelphia-performance-chronology-frank-hamilton Retrieved August 1, 2020Jolson Theatre: Mahoney performed with the Adolph Bolm Co. in “The Rivals, A Chinese Legend”Dance Index vol 7, nos. 4, 5. 1948 Dance Index-Ballet Caravan, Inc. p.108
1928 	Opera de Paris: Mahoney performs in the premier of "Bolero" by Maurice Ravel
1929 	Teatro Colón (Buenos Aires): Mahoney and Thalia Mara perform with Opera Rusa, a touring company originated in Paris as Opéra Privé de Paris under Michel Fokine
1930-1	Chanin’s 46th Street Theatre: Mahoney performed in Roger Pryor Dodge’s Trio with Jack Nile, in Billy Rose’s review “Sweet and Low”, to Duke Ellington’s “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo,” accompanied by cornetist James "Bubber" Miley
1931 	Roxy Theater: multiple appearances with Dodge Trio in "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo," "Black & White Review," and "Manhattan Serenade"
1932 	Roxy Theatre: Dodge Trio in "Manhattan Serenade"
1934 	Lewisohn Stadium: Mahoney and Rita De Leporte perform in "Carmen" (Georges Bizet)https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3282&context=gc_etds Retrieved August 9, 2020The Juilliard School of Music: Mahoney performed in George Antheil’s opera "Helen Retires". This success led Juilliard to immediately hire Mahoney in 1935 as teacher and dance directorDancer’s Almanac and Who’s Who 1940, ed. Ruth Eleanor Howard (New York, 1940):70Helen Retires. The Cincinnati Enquirer (2 September 1934):37 Garafola, Lynn. George Antheil and the Dance (Ballet Review, Fall 2001)
1936 	Juillard: Mahoney was the choreographer and lead dancer in the ballet-pantomime, "Joseph and his Brethren" by Werner JostenJoseph and His Brethren Juilliard School[…]choreographie d’Arthur Mahoney. Paris:Le Ménestrel—Musique et Théatres. (3 April 1936):115 Joseph Arnold, Kay. Joseph and His Brethren. The American Dancer (May 1936) Big Audiences for N.Y., Chicago, Philly Recitals. The Billboard, (28 March 1936):4Juilliard to Give Ravel Opera and Josten Ballet. Brooklyn Daily Eagle (9 February 1936):42Downes, Olin. Josten’s Ballet Offered Uptown:Juilliard School theatre Scene of ‘Joseph and His Brethren,’ Given by Students. The New York Times (10 March 1936):26 Retrieved August 1, 2020: 92nd Street Y: First National Dance Congress Festival, “The outstanding item from the standpoint of audience approval was Mr. Mahoney’s excellently danced farruca in the manner of Escudero….Mr. Mahoney’s revivals of a sarabande and an allemande in the authentic style were also among the evenings’s best numbers” Martin, John. First Congress of Dancers Opens. The New York Times (19 May):27Lewisohn Stadium: Mahoney and Mara perform in "Carmen" (Bizet)
1937 	Guild Theater: Program includes "Gaillarde Tambourin," "Roi Soleil," "Allemande," "Musette," "Sevillanas," Alegrias," "Farruca," and "Bulerias"Miss Mara and Mahoney Give Program of Dances. New York Herald Tribune (29 November 1937):8
1939 	Lewisohn Stadium: Mahoney and Mara perform in "Carmen" (Bizet)
1941 	Court Dances” 18th century court dances to George Frideric Handel ("Alcina" Suite) and Luigi Boccherini with Thalia Mara. A "Serénade Espagnole" (pasodoble) by Bizethttp://levyarchive.bam.org/Detail/objects/36133 Retrieved August 1, 2020Brooklyn Academy of Music: "Spanish Folk Fiesta", music by Isaac Albéniz, Manuel de Falla, with Thalia Mara. Mahoney dances a farruca, ensemble dances sevillanashttp://levyarchive.bam.org/Detail/objects/39045 Retrieved August 1, 2020
1942 	"Le Roi Soleil" (Jean-Baptiste Lully). Closing with a duo, a 19th Century "Bolero" https://archives.jacobspillow.org/Detail/entities/2510 Retrieved August 1, 2020
1943 	Jacob's Pillow: with Thalia Mara, dancing "Serenata Español" (Georges Bizet), "Blue Fantasy" (Ernesto Lecuona), "Jota Argonese" (de Falla)Jacob's Pillow: with Thalia Mara, "Bolero", "Cordoba" (Albéniz), "Blues in the Night" (Harold Arlen)
1944 	Diane Chasseresse" (Bach), "Rigaudon-Impromptu" (François Couperin), "La Valse Viennoise" (Johann Strauss II|Johann Strauss)Jacob's Pillow: "Crosstown" ballet in one act, story and choreography by Mahoney, music by Tom Scott (composer)|Tom Scott; story of boxer Slugger Joe, with Mahoney, Mara and company; "Bolero"; "La Valse Viennoise" (Strauss)Jacob's Pillow: "Blues in the Night" (Arlen), "Seville Comes to Harlem" (Lecuona)
1945 	New York City Center: dance recital with Thalia MaraMartin, John. Dance Team Seen in Mixed Program; Arthur Mahoney and Thalia Mara Score at City Center in Miscellany of Styles. The New York Times (12 February 1945)Lewisohn Stadium: Mahoney and Mara perform in "Carmen" (Bizet), choreography by Mahoney““Carmen” Pulls ‘Em at Stadium.” The Billboard (21 July 1945):3
1947 	Tom Scott; story of boxer Slugger Joe, with Mahoney, Mara and company; "Ballads from the Blue Ridge" (Tom Scott), staged by Mahoney, with Mahoney, Mara and companyJacob's Pillow: with Thalia Mara, "Serenade Espagnole" (Bizet), "Jota Aragonese" (de Falla), solo: "Iberian Rhythms" Martin, John. The Dance: Events. The New York Times (13 July):52Jacob's Pillow: "Mount Parnassus|Parnassus" ballet in one act (Handel), choreography by Mahoney, Mahoney, Mara, and companyJacob's Pillow: "La Notche [sic] Clara" (Bright Night)—Ballet by Mahoney, music by Albéniz, with Mahoney, Mara, and company; "Parnassus". “1st season as directors of festival and school...Mahoney’s knowledge of the Spanish dance is extensive” Martin, John. The Dance:Jacob’s Pillow. The New York Times (7 September)2
==References==
*Arthur Mahoney, 81, Dancer And Former Texas Cowhand, New York Times (Obituary) (5 August 1985). Retrieved August 1, 2020.
*DeMers, John. Arthur Mahoney Tells of his Fantastic Career, UPI ARCHIVES (5 September 1982). Retrieved August 1, 2020.
*Plan For Experimental Theatre Explained: Arthur Mahoney and Thalia Mara, New York Times (19 January 1947). Retrieved August 1, 2020.
*Dunning, Jennifer. Thalia Mara, 92, Ballet Educator, The New York Times (Obituary) (11 October 2003). Retrieved August 1, 2020.
Category:American people
Category:1904 births
Category:1985 deaths
Category:American ballet dancers