PAPERS, 1927, 1962-2000

2.5 linear feet

ACQUISITION:	The papers» (donor no. 719) were donated by Alicia Brown-Matthes in 2000.
ACCESS:		The »papers are open for research.
COPYRIGHT:		»Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to The University of Iowa.
PHOTOGRAPHS:		In Boxes 3-6, 8 and the map case.
AUDIOVISUAL:		One videocassette [V282] shelved in the videocassette collection and one film [F4] shelved in the film collection.
ARTIFACTS:		In Box 6.
PROCESSED BY:		Jun-Nicole Matsushita, 2004Your name, year [filename]». [ThayerMarcia.doc]

»Biography

Dancer, choreographer, musician, and educator Marcia Claire Belsher Thayer was born in 1936. In her youth Thayer appeared as a lead dancer and actress for the Magic Ring Theatre in Portland, Oregon and also played the viola and violin for a number of operatic, symphonic and theater productions. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and English from Mills College in 1956 and continued her graduate work at the State University of Iowa (now the University of Iowa). Thayer completed a master’s degree in Speech and Dramatic Art in 1960 and fulfilled the course requirements and comprehensive examination towards a Ph.D. in the same field.

Upon arriving in Iowa, Thayer performed in University Theater productions as a dancer, actress and later a choreographer. She taught classes in movement for actors and reviewed dance concerts for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. As head of the Dance Program in the Department of Physical Education for Women at the University of Iowa (1962-1974), Thayer expanded the dance curriculum and developed a program for dance majors. She also began the process of inviting professional dance groups to perform in Iowa City, and initiated the Midwestern Dance Symposium for teachers and students. Thayer also advanced performance opportunities for student choreographers and performers through yearly productions of the University of Iowa Dance Theatre that featured the “Young Choreographer’s Concert,” “Discovery,” and “Vivachi!”

Thayer’s creative work included plays, musicals, operas, and dances. She acted, danced, choreographed, and directed numerous productions in Iowa, Massachusetts, Oregon, and New York. Tragically, Thayer’s dancing career was ended by a back injury suffered during a dance production. Unable to dance, Thayer shifted her passion to the study of Ireland. Thayer died in Ireland after completing a course in Irish literature during the summer of 1982.Begin text her

Scope and Content Note

Begin text here:The Marcia Thayer» papers date from 1927» to 2000 and measure 2.5» linear feet. The »papers »are arranged in ten» series: Biographical information, Dance companies, Dance productions, Paul Engle poetry, Teaching responsibilities, University of Iowa Department of Dance, Newspaper Clippings, P»hotographs, Audiovisual, and Artifacts.

The Biographical Information series contains Thayer’s resume and eulogy. Thayer’s efforts to invite professional dancers and their companies to present and teach in the Department of Dance are represented in the Dance Companies series (1962-1996), which consists of publicity brochures and correspondence.

The Dance Productions series (1936-1992) consists of news releases, programs, correspondence, and production records. Included are Dance Gala posters, Orchesis modern dance club programs dating from the early 1930s, publicity and club reports, and budget and membership records. Midwestern Dance Symposium programs and correspondence dealing with artist searches complete this series.

The Paul Engle Poetry series is comprised of poetry exchanged between Thayer and Paul Engle. Engle was a professor of English and director of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa. The Teaching Responsibilities series (1964-1971) contains student papers and classroom handouts. Included are records of the Saturday School of the Dance taught by Thayer.

The University of Iowa Department of Dance series (1964-2000) is comprised of departmental publications pertaining to the curriculum, application forms, and undergraduate and graduate dance programs. Blueprints of a proposed conversion of the mirror room to a dance theatre complete the series. The Newspaper Clippings series (1955-1985) is comprised of a collection of review and general interest articles, photographs and a scrapbook containing newspaper clippings from 1964 to1985.

The Photographs series (1927-1986) consists of photographs of dance productions at the University of Iowa, professional dance companies, dance classes, and portraits. Marcia Thayer is depicted in many of the photographs throughout the series. Photographs of classes and activities offered by the Department of Physical Education for Women between 1927 and 1939 depict social dancing, synchronized swimming, and a dance production. Annual Dance Theatre productions are documented in photographs and negatives.

The Audiovisual series consists of a film of eleven dances recorded at the Communications Center. The 20-minute film consists of solo and duet performances by Marcia Thayer and Lar Lubovitch, and solo and group productions by unidentified dancers. A videotape of the film is available for viewing. A 1982 Dance Gala and “An American in Iowa” button comprise the Artifacts series (1982-1983).

Related Collections

The University of Iowa Department of Physical Education for WomenBegin text here:»