Improvisations Unlimited records
Collection
0056-SCPA
Improvisations Unlimited was a modern dance company based at the University of Maryland, College Park, from 1978-1992. Founded and directed by UMD dance professor Meriam Rosen, the company began with informal performances of improvised movement, but gradually introduced more structured choreography, though still within a largely improvisational framework. Improvisations Unlimited commissioned works by well-known choreographers and developed a repertoire of works and workshops, which they performed and conducted for a wide array of audiences, including dancers, children, older adults, and populations with special needs throughout the Washington, D.C.-area and the Eastern Seaboard. The Improvisations Unlimited records cover the period from 1970-1997; the bulk of the materials date from 1978-1992. The collection consists of administrative files, financial records, correspondence, grant and other applications, programs, publicity materials, reviews, clippings, press releases, photographs, and video tapes.
The collection is open for research use. Materials from this collection must be used in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Special Collections Room during SCPA’s operating hours. Please contact the curator for an appointment or if you have questions related to digital access of the materials.
Copyright was not transferred to the University of Maryland with the gift of any copyrighted materials. All rights remain with the creators and rights holders. The University of Maryland Libraries is granted permission for the use in scholarly research by the Libraries’ patrons under fair use in Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act.
To inquire about duplication of materials for research or for publication, please contact SCPA’s curator.
14.50 Linear Feet
The Improvisations Unlimited records cover the period from 1970-1997; the bulk of the materials date from 1978-1992. The records consist of administrative files, financial records, correspondence, grant and other applications, programs, publicity materials, reviews, clippings, press releases, photographs, and video tapes. These materials pertain to the University of Maryland-based modern dance company Improvisations Unlimited, founded and directed by UMD dance professor Meriam Rosen.
Improvisations Unlimited was a modern dance company based at the University of Maryland, College Park, from 1978-1992. The company grew out of an advanced improvisation class led by dance professor Meriam "Mim" Rosen. When students began performing outside the classroom, Rosen approached the university dance department for permission to start a company, and Improvisations Unlimited was founded the same year. Rosen served as director throughout the company's duration.
The company began with informal performances of improvised movement, but gradually introduced more structured choreography, though still within a largely improvisational framework. Improvisations Unlimited commissioned or performed works by choreographers including Ping Chong, Jeff Duncan, Daniel Nagrin, Don Redlich, Kei Takei, and Dan Wagoner; many of these choreographers traveled to the university to work directly with the company as visiting artists. The company developed a repertoire of works and workshops, which they performed and conducted for a wide array of audiences, including dancers, children, older adults, and populations with special needs throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and the Eastern Seaboard.
Improvisations Unlimited was incorporated in 1985. It was governed by a Board of Directors and supported by Friends of Improvisations Unlimited, as well as nationally and regionally administered grants. Citing lack of financial and other support, Rosen disbanded the company in 1992.
This collection is organized into eight series.
Gift of Meriam Rosen, received in one shipment in May 2000. Some materials transferred to the collection from the Meriam Rosen papers in 2010.
Part of the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library