Kent Stowell and Francia Russell papers, 1950-2015

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Stowell, Kent
Title
Kent Stowell and Francia Russell papers
Dates
1950-2015 (inclusive)
Quantity
20.96 cubic feet (58 boxes)
Collection Number
6215 (Accession No. 6215-001)
Summary
Materials related to the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet School primarily between 1968 and 2005, when Francia Russell and Kent Stowell served as Co-Artistic Directors as well as personal records of each.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Husband and wife duo, Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, served as Artistic Directors of the Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) from 1977-2005. Russell was also named Director of the PNB School while Stowell acted as the ballet’s Principal Choreographer.

Kent Stowell was born into a Mormon family, the second of five children, in Rexburg, ID in 1939. Stowell was inspired by Fred Astaire’s films and began tap and ballet lessons in St. George, UT at an early age. When his family moved again to Salt Lake City, he studied with Willam Christensen in the University of Utah Dance Department. At seventeen, Stowell was discovered by Lew Christensen, Director of the San Francisco Ballet (SFB), and offered a contract to begin as soon as he graduated from high school.

Stowell quickly rose from apprentice to principal dancer. During his time with SFB, he worked with some of the most celebrated directors, conductors, and singers of the day and performed on foreign tours in Central and South America as well as the Middle East and Africa. Stowell and fellow dancer Michael Smuin also created Ballet ’60 and Ballet ’61 in an effort to keep their colleagues working during a period of frequent SFB layoffs. This was Stowell first experience acting as a choreographer.

In 1962, Stowell left SFB to join the New York City Ballet (NYCB), where he first began his work with noted choreographer, George Balanchine. During his time with NYCB, Stowell performed in Seattle, Western Europe, and Russia, including at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Returning from his NYCB tour, Kent met Francia Russell and a lifelong partnership began.

Francia Russell was born in Los Angeles in 1938. When her family moved to San Francisco, she began ballet classes at San Francisco Ballet School. In 1948 the Russells moved to war-torn Europe, settling briefly in Paris where she took private lessons with the celebrated Russian ballerina, Mathilde Kschessinskaya. Two and a half years in Nice followed and a year in London where Francia’s most admired teacher, Vera Volkova, took her under her wing.

Russell and her family returned to San Francisco and then New York. In 1956 George Balanchine offered Francia a contract with the New York City Ballet where she danced a wide repertoire and was promoted to soloist in 1959. She retired from dance in 1961 and, despite a knee injury, danced for a year with Jerome Robbins’s Ballets USA, taught at the School of American Ballet, and attended NYU. In 1964, Balanchine persuaded Russell to return to NYCB as Ballet Master, where she was responsible for rehearsing and teaching the company as well as staging Balanchine ballets around the world.

Russell and Stowell met while at NYCB and were married in 1965. Their first son, Christopher, was born the following year. As a new father Stowell decided to pursue more consistent employment and in 1969 accepted a position as Associate Professor of Dance in the Indiana University School of Music. One year later, he accepted an offer to become Principal Dancer at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich and the Stowells moved to Germany. In Munich, Stowell performed contemporary European choreography and choreographed new works for the company in Munich and Bonn. In 1973 Stowell became Ballet Master of the Frankfurt Ballet and in 1975 he and Russell were appointed Co-Artistic Directors. During their seven years in Germany, their sons Darren and Ethan were born. In 1977, Stowell and Russell accepted the positions of Artistic Directors of Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB). Kent was also designated Principal Choreographer and Francia became Director of the School (PNBS). During the next twenty-eight years, PNB would grow from a small off-shoot of the Seattle Opera to become one of the major American ballet companies.

While at PNB, Stowell and Russell, along with the support of the Board and Administrative team, established The Phelps Center, The Francia Russell Center, and McCaw Hall, which enabled the spectacular growth of the PNB Company and School. Over 28 years, Stowell & Russell brought 168 ballets to the PNB repertoire, including 10 full-length works, and 90 world premieres by 68 choreographers, plus on-going choreography workshops. For many of these works, celebrated designers and composers, in addition to choreographers, were commissioned, resulting in exciting and innovative collaborations unique to PNB. The duo also helped to transform the culture of PNB and dance in the Pacific Northwest, employing costume and set designers, artists, musicians, and dancers. As Director of the School, Russell created a curriculum that included many dance forms and a written syllabus focused on the crucial early years of classical ballet training. PNBS was the first major ballet school in the US to adopt a holistic approach to the training of ballet students, adding experts in many important disciplines to the staff. Extensive Outreach programs, in cooperation with local community organizations and schools, became an important part of the School’s mission. PNBS became one of the top three professional ballet schools in the country, producing over half of the dancers for PNB and many others who joined companies across the US and Europe. By the late 1980’s, PNB was earning 72% of its budget and had the highest per capita dance audience in America.

From 1964 to 2014, Russell staged and directed over 240 productions throughout the US, Europe, and Asia, including the first authorized productions in China and Russia. Over their extensive careers, Stowell and Russell received numerous awards including: the Governor’s Arts Award, Mayor’s Arts Award, The American Society of Designers Award, Dance Magazine Award, St. Mark’s Spirit of the City, University of Utah Honors, NW Entrepreneur of the Year, University Women’s Club Brava Award, Seattle Center Legion of Honor, Arts Fund Lifetime Achievement Award, Seattle University Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, and University of Washington Honorary Doctor of Arts.

With the completion of McCaw Hall and a new production of Swan Lake, Kent and Francia felt it was time to begin planning for their succession. They recommended Peter Boal and in 2005, after a brilliant and celebratory farewell performance, they said goodbye to the work of a lifetime. As of 2018, the Company remains one of the largest and most celebrated ballets in the United States presenting more than 100 performances each year at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, on tour, and abroad.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Materials related to the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet School primarily between 1968 and 2005, when Francia Russell and Kent Stowell served as Co-Artistic Directors. Francia also served as the Director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Kent served as the principal choreographer. Documents include administrative materials, correspondence, marketing, press, awards, lectures, board materials, posters, drawings, programs, and DVDs. The collection also includes personal materials related to Francia Russell and Kent Stowell such as awards, memorabilia, correspondence, articles from life before the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and their retirement process.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Materials have been kept in the order in which they were received.

Acquisition Information

Kent Stowell and Francia Russell

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Pacific Northwest Ballet history, 1976-2013Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Pacific Northwest Ballet history and repertoire information compiled by Sheila Dietrich
1992-2012
1/2
Pacific Northwest Ballet articles and exhibits compiled by Sheila Dietrich
2013
1/3
Pacific Northwest Ballet history
1982
1/4
Pacific Northwest Ballet executive history and board officers
2005-2011
1/5
Pacific Northwest Ballet School history
2004
1/6
Correspondence with Sheffield Phelps and Patricia Phelps
1982-1992
1/7
Correspondence with Leon Kalimos
1997
1/8
Correspondence with Melissa Hayden
1994-2004
1/9
Correspondence regarding Hayden Video Series
2000-2009
1/10
Correspondence with Janet Reed
1997
1/11
Correspondence with Carol Rowen
2003-2004
1/12
25th anniversary exhibit at Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)
1997
1/13
Washington State Arts Commission Resolution
1996
1/14
Goodwill Games
1990
1/15
Washington State Centennial
1989
1/16
Minneapolis merger
1984-1997
1/17
Summer Inventions
1982
1/18
Program materials for "Swan Lake"
1981
1/19
Program for "Nutcracker"
1976
1/20
DVD (compiled by Brian Zenk) of Pacific Northwest Ballet historical information
2004

"Let's Go On/Rescue Project", 1991-2006Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/1
Book proposal by Barry Provorse
1991
2/2
Correspondence
1991-1995
2/3-6
Interviews
1991
2/7
Manuscript: "Let's Go On"
1997
2/8
Press
1998
2/9
Book signing
undated
2/10
New York City Ballet Alumni Directory
1998
2/11
New York City Ballet Alumni Roster
1999-2006
2/12
Ballet Trust records of stagings
undated
2/13
Notes
2006
2/14
Grant proposal
1992-2006

Administration, 1977-2006Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/1
Performance programs in Seattle
1997-2005
3/2
Repertoire and music lists
2001
3/3
Staff anniversaries
1991-1992
3/4
Repertoire plans and casting from Francia Russell's season binders
1977-2003
3/5
Information on dancers
1993-2006
3/6
Commemorative stamp
1998
3/7
Goodwill Games
1990
3/8
Performances at Chateau Ste. Michelle
1995
3/9
"Nutcracker" casting
1995
3/10
Miscellaneous Pacific Northwest Ballet facts
1980-1997
3/11
Job reviews for artistic staff
1998-2001
3/12
Jeanie Thomas obituary
2000
3/13
Job reviews for music staff
1999
3/14
Information about the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra
1994-2004
3/15
Backup for dancer budget
2003-2004
3/16
Plans for performance of "Raymonda"
2003
3/17
Archives/library
1998-2002
3/18
25th anniversary
1996-2003
3/19
"Conversations with Pacific Northwest Ballet" program
2003
3/20
George Balanchine exhibit plans
2003-2004
3/21
Plans for Pacific Northwest Ballet therapy room
1995-1997
3/22
Handouts from Karen Clippinger regarding Pacific Northwest Ballet therapy room
1994
3/23
Documents related to Pierce Scranton (Pacific Northwest Ballet doctor)
1995-1996
3/24
Documents related to Peter Schmock (Pacific Northwest Ballet physcial therapist)
1994-1995
3/25
Ballet license periods
2004
3/26
Contract for "Cakewalk" ballet
2002

Choreographers, composers, and designers, 1987-2012Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
4/1
Choreographers in Pacific Northwest Ballet repertoire
2003
4/2
Miscellaneous choreographers
1987-1995
4/3
Designers
1989-2002
4/4
Ib Andersen
1993-1994
4/5
Stephen Bayne
1999
4/6
Tarin Chaplin
1992-1993
4/7
Diane Coburn Bruning
1997
4/8
Bart Cook
1994
4/9
Michael Corder
2002
4/10
Mark Dendy
1993-1998
4/11
Ulysses Dove
1993-1994
4/12
Nacho Duato
1996
4/13
Dominique Dumais
2000-2002
4/14
Mats Ek
1993-1994
4/15
William Forsythe
1996
4/16
Lar Lubovitch
1990-1992
4/17
Miriam Mahdaviani
1997
4/18
Trey McIntyre
1997-2000
4/19
Adam Miller
1997
4/20
Kevin O'Day
1997
4/21
Kirk Peterson
1992-2003
4/22
Jerome Robbins
1983-1994
4/23
Tim Rushton
1998-2001
4/24
Ton Simons
1993-1997
4/25
Lynne Taylor-Corbett
1991-1995
4/26
Rudi van Dantzig
1996-1997
4/27
Christopher Wheeldon
1996-1998
4/28
William Bolcom
1997
4/29
Richard Danielpour
1995
4/30
Graham Fitkin
2000
4/31
Ann Beck
1997
4/32
Ming Cho Lee
1995
4/33
Martin Pakledinaz
1997-2012

Kent Stowell correspondence, 1962-2015Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
5/1-6
General correspondence
1962-2008
5/7
Correspondence with School of American Ballet Board
1985-2015
5/8
Correspondence with the Sundance Institute
1986
5/9
Correspondence with the National Endowment for the Arts
1983-1987
5/10-11
Correspondence with Dance USA Board
1986-1988
5/12
Correspondence with Betty Cage
1968

Documents related to Kent Stowell, 1960-2006Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
6/1
List of Kent Stowell ballets
undated
6/2
Kent Stowell presentations and performances
1981-2004
6/3
Personal documents
1960-2004
6/4
Articles by Kent Stowell
1977-1985
6/5
Articles about choreography and production
1995-1997
6/6
Seattle Performing Arts Library and Museum
2006
6/7
Fan letters to Kent Stowell
1966-2004
6/8
Partnership with Prix de Lausanne (French Dance School)
2003-2004
6/9
Submission to "Who's Who in Ballet and Dance"
undated
6/10
Indiana University Dance Department
1969-1970
6/11
Bloomington, Indiana
1969
6/12
Letters to universities
1969-1970
6/13
Job search
1968-1969
6/14
Guest teaching and choreography
1968
6/15
Honorable discharge from Army
1966

Awards and honors, 1982-2013Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
7/1
American Society of Interior Designers (Kent Stowell)
1982
7/2
Pacific Northwest Ballet Day
1983
7/3
Women in Communications (Francia Russell)
1987
7/4
Governor's Arts Awards
1989
7/5
Seattle Center Award
1992
7/6
Mayor's Proclamation
1994
7/7
Dance Magazine Awards
1996
7/8
St. Mark's Spirit of the City Award
2000
7/9
University of Utah Honors (Kent Stowell)
2001
7/10
BRAVA Award
2003
7/11
NW Entrepreneurs of the Year
2004
7/12
Seattle Center Foundation Legion of Honor
2004
7/13
ArtsFund Lifetime Achievement
2004
7/14
Mayor's Arts Awards
2004
7/15
KCTS Broadcasting Award
2005
7/16
Seattle University Honorary Degrees
2003
7/17
University of Washington Honorary Degrees
2010
7/18
Miscellaneous awards and honors
1995-2013
7/19
Olympic Scholar Awards
1990

Speeches, lectures, and demonstrations related to Francia Russell, 1982-2012Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
8/1-2
Speeches
1982-2009
8/3
Acceptance speech: National Arts Stabilization Fund
1990
8/4
Lecture demostrations
1983-2002
8/5
"On Becoming a Dancer"
1994
8/6
"The Art of the Pas de Deux", "Basically Ballet", "Technique Lecture"
1992-1995
8/7
George Balanchine lecture/demostration at Pacific Northwest Ballet
2012
8/8
Previews
1984-1996
8/9
Panel talk and lecture: Corporate Council for the Arts (CCA)
1996, 2000
8/10
Young President's Organization (YPO) event
2000
8/11
Presentations: Rotary Club
1994-2005
8/12
Performance: Susan Brotman's 60th birthday
2009
8/13
Tributes
1992-2011
8/14
Studio conversation: "Words on Dance"
1998
8/15
Seattle University lecture: "Inside the Ballet"
2004
8/16
Lecture series: "Portrait of Pacific Northwest Ballet"
2004-2005
8/17
Miscellaneous talks and lectures
2004-2005
8/18
Guiding Lights/Carmen Workshop
2005

Articles/panels by Francia Russell, and talks by Kent Stowell and Francia Russell , 1982-2011Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
9/1-2
Articles by Francia Russell
1982-2011
9/3
George Balanchine Symposium at the Vancouver Ballet Society
1983, 1993
9/4
"The Dance Project" in St. Petersburg
1991
9/5
"Benois de la Danse" in Warsaw
1997
9/6
Center for Women and Democracy Delegation to Cuba
2003
9/7
George Balanchine panel in New York City
2004
9/8
George Balanchine International Symposium in St. Petersburg
2004
9/9-10
Prix de Lausanne
2005-2010
9/11
Volkova Symposium
2010
9/12
Artistic Principles
2001
9/13
Dance Critic's Association
1997, 2011
9/14
Dance USA
1992-1996

Conferences and other events (Francia Russell), 1980-2014Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
10/1
National Ballet School Conference in Toronto
1999
10/2
Ballet Society Critic's Conference in Vancouver
1989
10/3
Doris Duke and talented students in the Arts Initative Conference in Miami, Florida
2002
10/4
Past Present Future Conference in Toronto and Bruhn competition
2002
10/5
White Oak Conference
2003
10/6
Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund Arts Paticipation Convening
2000
10/7
University of Oklahoma "Artist in Residence"
2014
10/8
Miscellaneous extra engagements
1980-2010
10/9
Affiliate Professor position at UW
1989

Board of Trustees, 1980-2010Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
11/1
Board contact list
2003-2004
11/2-3
Long range plans
1980-2000
11/4
Correspondence from Board
1995
11/5
Personnel Committee correspondence
1997
11/6-12
Board retreats
1992-2004
11/13-14
Annual reports
2001-2003
11/15
Board orientations
2000-2003
11/16
Notes from Board meetings by Francia Russell
1988-1997
11/17
Trustees Committee and Executive Committee
1998-2005
11/18
Pacific Northwest Ballet stars
1997-1999
11/19
Correspondence with Maryann James
1999
11/20
Correspondence with board leadership
2006-2010
11/21
Correspondence with Artistic Director's Fund donors
2006
11/22
John Pomfret at Pacific Northwest Ballet
1992
11/23-24
Correspondence with Board
2002-2015

Talks to Board, Ballet League, and Members of the Barre Committee (M.O.B.), 1980-2005Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
12/1-5
Talks at annual meetings
1980-2005
12/6-7
Talks at Ballet League luncheons
1982-2001
12/8
Talks at Members of the Barre Committee (M.O.B.)
1989

Kirov, 1961-1999Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
13/1
Talks at the Vancouver Ballet Society
1989
13/2
Correspondence regarding the Kirov Ballet
1989
13/3
Yuri Fateev's visit to Seattle
1998
13/4
First Kirov trip and correspondence
1988-1989
13/5-13/6
Correspondence on trip to Kirov
1998
13/7
Correspondence regarding the Kirov Ballet
1999
13/8-9
Kirov Ballet reviews and articles
1988-1999
13/10
Kirov Ballet programs
1961-1999

Stagings, 1964-2014Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
14/1
Alberta Ballet
1979-1985
14/2
American Festival Ballet
1980-1981
14/3
Ballet West
1979-2006
14/4
Bayerische Staatsoper Ballett
1966-2005
14/5
Bolshoi Ballet
2006-2007
14/6
Boston Ballet
1968-2007
14/7
Colorado Concert Ballet
1979
14/8
Dusseldorf Ballet
1965-1966
14/9
Fort Worth Ballet
1999-2000
14/10
Geneve Ballet
1970-1971
14/11
Grand Rapids
2013
14/12
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
1968
14/13
Hamburg Ballet
1971
14/14-15
Het Nationale Ballet
1967-2009
15/1
Houston Ballet
1967-2014
15/2
Koln Ballet
1971
15/3
Leipzig Ballet
2008-2009
15/4
Los Angeles Ballet
1967
15/5
Mexico City
1980-1981
15/6
Milwaukee Ballet
1980-1986
15/7
Nice Ballet
2012
15/8
North Carolina School of the Arts
1968
15/9
Oregon Ballet Theatre
2003-2010
15/10
Ohio Ballet
1979
15/11
Pacific Northwest Ballet
2007-2012
15/12
Pennsylvania Ballet
1978
15/13
Pittsburgh Ballet
2003-2004
15/14
Royal Danish Ballet
1973-2001
15/15
Royal Swedish Ballet
1970-1971
15/16
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
1981-1995
15/17-18
San Francisco Ballet
1979-2014
16/1
La Scala
2010
16/2
Shanghai Ballet
1986-1987
16/3
Chinese Ballet press
1987-1994
16/4
Stuttgart Ballet
1965-1967
16/5
Universal Ballet
1994
16/6
Utah Civic Ballet
1968
16/7
Vienna State Opera Ballet
1966-1969
16/8
Zagreb Ballet
2011
16/9
List of Francia Russell ballet stagings
2014
16/10-12
Correspondence regarding ballet stagings
1977-1984
16/13
Balanchine Ballets for Pacific Northwest Ballet: Correspondence
1980-1984
16/14
Balanchine Ballets for Pacific Northwest Ballet: Contracts, etc.
1984-1999
16/15
Correspondence regarding Balanchine Trust
2014

Germany, 1968-1977Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
17/1
Brighton tour
1977
17/2
Birmingham tour
1974
17/3
Frankfurt press
1974-1977
17/4-5
Frankfurt programs with casting
1972-1977
17/6-7
Frankfurt programs
1973-1977
17/8
Frankfurt Opera souvenir book
1968-1977
17/9
Francia Russell School of Ballet
1974
17/10-11
Munich programs
undated
17/12
Correspondence regarding time in Munich
undated
17/13
Munich and Bonn press
undated

School performances, 1982-2005Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
18/1-2
School performance programs
1983-2005
18/3
First annual school performance
1982
18/4
Second annual school performance
1983
18/5
Third through sixth annual school performances
1984-1987
18/6
Seventh through tenth annual school performances
1988-1990
18/7
Eleventh through fourteenth annual school performances
1992-1995
18/8
Twentieth through twenty-third annual school performances
2001-2004
18/9
Seattle "Tiny Teas" performance
1994-2004
18/10
Family matinee handbook: "Snow White"
2001

Kent Stowell Ballets (1), 1961-2012Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
19/1
Kent Stowell choreography for Pacific Northwest Ballet
1961-2010
19/2
"Carmen": notes
2001
19/3
"Carmen": Discs of music/film
2001
19/4
"Carmina Burana"
1982
19/5-7
"Cinderella"
1994-2012
19/8
"Nutcracker"
1983
19/9
"Nutcracker" stories
1967
19/10
"Nutcracker: the Motion Picture"
1986
19/11
"Silver Lining"
1997
19/12
"Silver Lining": Kern research
1996
20/1
"Swan Lake"
1981
20/2
"Swan Lake": research
1981
20/3
"Swan Lake": Costume designs
2003
20/4
"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet"
1987
20/5
Ming Cho Lee catalogues
1997-2006
20/6
"Through Eden's Gates"
2007
20/7
William Bolcom: "Complete Rags for Piano"
1999
20/8
William Bolcom: compositions
1989-1991
20/9
"Othello Pas de Deux Ca's Var and Coda": Notes
undated
20/10
Seattle Dance Project: Project 3
2010
20/11
Oregon Ballet Theatre
2003
20/12
Pittsburgh Ballet
1998
20/13
Fortworth/Dallas Ballet
1998
20/14
Nashville Ballet
1998

Touring, 1978-2006Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
21/1-2
Vancouver, Canada ("Nutcracker")
1978-1980
21/3
Taiwan
1982
21/4
Washington, Montana, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming
1983
21/5
Stern Grove
1983
21/6
Brooklyn Academy of Music
1984
21/7
Spoleto Festival
1984
21/8
Anchorage
1984
21/9
Minneapolis
1984
21/10-11
Vancouver, Canada
1985
21/12
Aspen, Colorado
1985
21/13
Portland, Oregon ("Midsummer Night's Dream")
1985
21/14
Vancouver, Canada
1985
21/15
Yakima, Washington
1986
21/16-17
Vancouver, Canada
1986-1987
21/18
Kennedy Center
1987
21/19
Hancher, Iowa
1988
21/20
Spoleto Festival
1988
21/21
Kennedy Center
1989
21/22
Minneapolis ("Nutcracker")
1989
21/23
Vancouver, Canada
1990
21/24
Governor's Arts Awards Ceremony
1990
21/25-26
Honolulu
1990-1991
21/27
Vancouver, Canada
1992
21/28
Kennedy Center
1992
21/29
Honolulu
1992
21/30
Bainbridge Island, Washington
1992
21/31
New York City Ballet: ("Dinner with Balanchine")
1993
21/32
Alberta, Canada
1994
22/1
Arizona ("Cinderella")
1994
22/2
Orange County, California
1995
22/3
Melbourne, Australia
1995
22/4-5
Melbourne: Correspondence
1994-1995
22/6
Australia
1996
22/7
Career Transition Benefit
1996
22/8
Prague: World Stars Gala
1996
22/9
Vail International Dance Festival
1996
22/10
Miscellaneous documents related to tours
1993-2001
22/11
Dancer engagements
1992-2009
22/12
City Center and Kennedy Center
1996
22/13
Kennedy Center
1996
23/1
City Center
1996
23/2
Edinburgh, Scotland Festival
1998
23/3
Sadler's Wells (London, UK)
1999
23/4
Anchorage
1999
23/5
Istanbul, Turkey
2000
23/6
Hong Kong
2000
23/7-9
Fort Worden State Park Conference Center
2000-2002
23/10
Hollywood Bowl
2002
23/11
National Dance Institute (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
2002
23/12
Sadler's Wells (London, UK)
2002
23/13
Guests of New York City Ballet: Noelani Pantastico and Olivier Wevers
2004
23/14
Guggenheim performances
2005

Administrative documents, 1979-2005Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
24/1
Administrative job descriptions
1994-1995
24/2
Correspondence regarding marketing
1990-2003
24/3
Terry Goetz
1996
24/4
Executive Director search: Korn/Ferry
1993
24/5
Executive Directors: Timothy Duncan, Dennis Dallara
1997-1998
24/6
Carol Lewis case
1994-1995
24/7
Correspondence regarding budgeting with Cathi Hatch and David Brown
2003-2004
24/8
Margo Spellman issues regarding marketing
2002-2003
24/9
Marketing and public relations
1995-1996
24/10
Miscellaneous development documents
1990-2003
24/11
Kent Stowell and Francia Russell donation history
1979-2000
24/12
Remarks for Corporate Council for the Arts and King County City Council
1991-1996
24/13
Endowments
1995-2000
24/14
Pacific Northwest Ballet Foundation
1996
24/15-16
Budget
1996-2005
24/17
Finance Committee
2004
24/18
Budget
2005
24/19
Plans for Exhibition Hall
1995
24/20
Plans for facilities and Opera House
1996
24/21
Good Shepard Center facilities planning
1985
24/22-23
Phelps Center
1993
24/24-26
McCaw Hall
2001-2003

Press/Magazines: Company and School, 1978-2012Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
25/1
Press kits
1981-1998
25/2
Chris Montoya essay about Kent Stowell and Francia Russell
2012
25/3-4
Interviews and stories with or about Kent Stowell and Francia Russell
1977-2012
25/5
KCTS 9 TV Broadcasting
2005
25/6
Kent Stowell: articles and interviews
1964-2002
25/7
Francia Russell: articles and interviews
1966-2012
25/8-11
Articles about Pacific Northwest Ballet
1966-2012
25/12-14
Reviews
1977-2005
25/15
School press
1977-2004

Marketing: Company and School, 1977-2005Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
26/1
Season brochures
1977-1990
26/2
Season brochures and calendars
1991-2005
26/3
Mini-season and single rep brochures
1978-2005
26/4
Souvenir books and "Swan Lake" program folder
1981-1983
26/5
Souvenir books and postcards
1989-2005
26/6
"Nutcracker" marketing pieces
1980-1994
26/7-9
School brochures
1977-2003
26/10
Audition tour brochures
1993-2001
26/11
Summer course brochures
1977-2004
26/12
Miscellaneous school brochures
1993-2004
26/13
Education and outreach programs and brochures
1979-2003
26/14
Development brochures
1981-2004
27/1
Variations Newsletter (the official newsletter of Pacific Northwest Ballet)
1990-1994
27/2
Variations Newsletter: Vol. V and VI
1994-1995
27/3
Variations Newsletter: Vol. VII and VIII
1995-1997
27/4
Variations Newsletter: Vol. IX - XII
1997-2001

Correspondence: Francia Russell, 1963-2016Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
28/1
Pacific Northwest Ballet Company injuries
1984-1989
28/2-7
Correspondence with dancers
1984-2016
28/8
Correspondence with friends
1989-2001
28/9
Correspondence with National Endowment for the Arts
1989-1990
28/10
Correspondence with donors
1989-2003
28/11-12
Correspondence with public
1988-1997
29/1-3
Correspondence with public
1998-2004
29/4-6
Correspondence with staff
1987-2006
29/7-8
Correspondence with Trustees
1981-2004
29/9
Correspondence with Seward School students
1983-2012
29/10
Cards
1987-2006
29/11
Notes
1985-2010
30/1
Notes
1996-2008
30/2
Notes and cards from students
2005
30/3
Letters of recommendation: dancers and staff
1989-2014
30/4
Letters of recommendation: faculty and staff
1993-1996
30/5
Letters of recommendation: dancers and colleagues
1993-2006
30/6-7
Letters of recommendation: students
1993-2000
30/8
Graduation letters
1999
30/9
Immigration letters
1993-2011
30/10
Correspondence with Arlene Croce
1992-2012
30/11-16
Correspondence with colleagues
1963-1997
31/1-7
Correspondence with colleagues
1998-2009

School correspondence: Francia Russell; School , 1981-2015Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
32/1
School donors
1995-2004
32/2-6
Correspondence with parents and students
1981-2005
32/7-8
Correspondence with teachers and staff
1985-2004
32/9
School development
1985-2001
32/10
Outside teachers
1984-2004
33/1-2
Correspondence with other schools
1982-2004
33/3
Alumni
1991-2015
33/4
DanceChance
1995-2004
33/5-16
Summer course brochures
1981-2003

School, 1975-2005Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
34/1
Fact sheets: school, company, DanceChance, and outreach
1998-2000
34/2
Pacific Northwest Ballet School Planning Calendar
1999
34/3
School: long-range plan
1992-1993
34/4
School budgets
1994-2000
34/5
Job descriptions of company, school, and administration
1994-2002
34/6-11
Faculty conferences
1995-2004
34/12
Teacher evaluations
1998
34/13
Faculty lists
1975-1997
34/14
Faculty correspondence regarding restructuring
1998
34/15
Faculty retreat
1998
34/16
Denise Bolstad (also Vikki Pulk)
1999-2004
34/17
Jonathan Watts
1995-1996
34/18
Bruce Wells
1997
34/19
Marsha Bennion
1999-2000
34/20
Paula Prewett: Mistake! (HIV/AIDS talk)
1991-1998
34/21-22
Karen Clippinger-Robertson flexibility study
1990-1992
34/23
Consulting staff: early days
1982-1991
34/24
Pacific Northwest Ballet School alumni
2001-2004
34/25
Scholarships
1980-2005
34/26
Academic options
1990
34/27
Hopkins case on anorexia
2001
35/1
Professional Division: letters of recommendation
1999-2002
35/2
Professional Division: miscellaneous materials
1984-2004
35/3
School fund-raising/school recognition banquets (miscellaneous)
1995-2000
35/4
Donor Recognition Dinner
1996
35/5
Surdna Foundation
1997-2003
35/6
Pacific Northwest Ballet Education Council
2002-2004
35/7-35/10
School Committee
1990-2005
35/11
Jeanne Galpin
1999-2000
35/12
Education, Diversity Committee and Outreach
1995-1996
35/13
Pacific Northwest Ballet School Parents' Association
1984-2005
35/14
School Committee Members Packet
1999
35/15
Talks regarding Pacific Northwest Ballet School
1979-1983
35/16
Orientations
1979-1998
36/1-15
Teacher's Seminar
1975-2004
36/16
Teacher Training Program Plans I
1994
36/17
Teacher Training Program Research II
1989-1997
36/18
National Ballet School Teachers' Seminar and Syllabus
1992-1994
36/19
National Ballet School visits Pacific Northwest Ballet School
2002
36/20
The Center School
2001
36/21
Music Academy proposal
1992
36/22
Proposal for book on School: "The Reality of Magic"
1995
36/23
DanceChance miscellaneous + Carlos Savina letters
1997-1999
36/24
DanceChance
1991-1995
36/25
DanceChance presentation
2000-2015
36/26
Outreach information
1998-2000
36/27
Outreach
2002-2004
36/28
Outreach budget issues
2003-2005
36/29
Letters in support of outreach
2003
37/1
Discover Dance Community performance
2004
37/2
Bravo Ballet
1994-1995
37/3
Bravo Ballet (miscellaneous)
1992-1998
37/4
Arts in Education
1988
37/5
Materials for teachers in public schools
1991
37/6
Arts in Education Study Guide
1992
37/7
Eastside School
1995-1999
37/8
Bellevue Youth Arts Center plans
1997-1998
37/9
Campaign for Francia Russell Center
2002
37/10
Correspondence regarding National Association of Schools of Dance site visit and self-study
1987-1988
37/11-14
National Association of Schools of Dance Self-Study Report
1988-1995
37/15
Correspondence: National Association of Schools of Dance Self-Study Report
1995
37/16
Syllabus
1995-1999
37/17
Report to Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
1991

Retirement, 2004-2005Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
38/1
Francia Russell and Kent Stowell guest book pages
2005
38/2-4
Notes and cards related to retirement
2005
38/5
Press regarding retirement
2005
38/6
Retirement events
2005
38/7
Gala Tribute
2005
38/8
Final directors' notes
2005
38/9
Correspondence regarding Gala Tribute
2005
38/10
Correspondence with Artistic Director Fund donors and list of donors
2005
38/11
Tom Backer: transition help
2004
38/12
Retirement
2004
38/13
Announcement responses
2004
38/14
Plans for farewell
2004
38/15
Retirement issues
2004
38/16-17
Interviews
2004
38/18
Transition Committee
2004
38/19
Transition planning
2004-2005
38/20
Transition: staff job descriptions
2004

Seattle University Doctorate and Kent Stowell's binders, 1991-2002Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
39/1-2
Eastside School
2001-2002
39/3
Eastside School design
2001-2002
39/4
Honorary Degree from Seattle University
2005
39/5
Season information
1991-1993

Kent Stowell: Dancing, 1939-1982Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
40/1
Mormon stuff
1939-1955
40/2
Early childhood memorabilia
1939-1982
40/3
High School material
1952-1957
40/4
University of Utah
1955-1958
40/5
Army materials
1960-1961
40/6
San Francisco Opera
1957-1961
40/7
San Francisco Ballet programs
1957-1962
40/8
San Francisco Ballet press
1958-1962
40/9
San Francisco Ballet: South America tour
1958
40/10-40/11
San Francisco Ballet: Middle East tour
1959
41/1
San Francisco Ballet: United States tour
1962
41/2
New York City Ballet: Russia tour
1962
41/3
European tour
1962
41/4
Guest with San Diego Ballet
1965
41/5
European tour
1965
41/6
New York City Ballet souvenir book
1963-1969
41/7
New York City Ballet press
1962-1968
41/8-41/11
New York City Ballet programs
1962-1969
41/12
Andre Eglevsky Ballet
1963

Francia Russell: New York City Ballet, etc., 1946-1983Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
42/1-4
Programs of other ballet companies, opera, and concerts attended
1946-1983
42/5
Isaacson Gallery
1962
42/6
Press
1956-1961
42/7
Pre-New York City Ballet programs
1948-1955
42/8
Summer Stock
1950s-1960s
42/9
New York City Ballet souvenir book
1958-1960
42/11
New York City Ballet debut
1956
42/12
New York City Ballet playbills
1956
42/13
European tour
1956
42/14
United States touring
1957-1960
42/15
New York City Ballet playbills
1957
42/16
Andre Eglevsky's Ballet Divertissements Brussels: A Dance Concert (Brussels)
1958
42/17
Sydney tour/ Japan
1958
43/1-2
New York City Ballet playbills
1958-1959
43/3
CBC TV
1960
43/4
New York City Ballet playbills
1960
43/5
Jerome Robbins' "Ballets: U.S.A."
1961
43/6
European tour
1965
43/7
Geneve: the real story
1973

Kent Stowell Ballets (2), 1972-1979Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
44/1
Choreographic notes: Konzertstuck
1972
44/2
Musical exercises
undated
44/3
Costume designs: Firebird
undated
44/4
Polychromatics score: Frankfurt, DE
1974
44/5
"Swan Lake": Act II photo "Alone at Night" from Rico
undated
44/6
"Daphnis and Chloe"
1979
44/7
"Daphnis and Chloe" piano score
1979
44/8
"Daphnis and Chloe" costume designs
1979

Miscellaneous directory and important binders, 1982-2005Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
45/1
Director's notes
1982-2005
45/2
Repertoire and program lists
1999-2004
45/3
Tribute and commemorative program, "Eleven" souvenir book
2005
45/4
Rebecca Wakefield: Stage Manager Reports
1984-1996
45/5
Correspondence: Randall (Rico) Chiarelli
1989-1995
45/6
Case study: Francia Russell Russell Center
undated
45/7-8
Lighting plots and cues: Randall (Rico) Chiarelli
1992-2001

DVD's of Kent Stowell's and Francia Russell's Ballets, 1978-2010Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
46/1
"Agam" (Kent Stowell)
1983
46/2
"Anima Mundi" (Kent Stowell)
1996
46/3
"La Bergère Celimene" (Kent Stowell)
1985-1986
46/4
"Carmen" (Kent Stowell)
2002
46/5-7
"Carmina Burana" (Kent Stowell)
2004-2007
46/8-10
"Cinderella" (Kent Stowell)
1999-2002
46/11-12
"Coppelia" (Kent Stowell)
1997
46/13
"Daphnis and Chloe" (Kent Stowell)
1983
46/14
"Delicate Balance" (Kent Stowell)
1989-1994
46/15
"Deranged Dances" (Kent Stowell)
1980
46/16
"Dual Lish" (Kent Stowell)
2005
46/17
"Dumbarton Oaks" (Kent Stowell)
1994-2000
46/18
"Duo Fantasy" (Kent Stowell)
1990-2000
46/19
"Fauré Requiem" (Kent Stowell)
1993
47/1
"Firebird" (Kent Stowell)
2005
47/2
"Hail to the Conquering Hero" (Kent Stowell)
2002
47/3
"Kammergarten Tänze" (Kent Stowell)
1992-2000
47/4
"Karelia" (Kent Stowell)
1980
47/5-6
"Nutcracker" (Kent Stowell)
2009
47/7
"Orpheus Portrait" (Kent Stowell)
1991-1999
47/8
"Over the Waves" (Kent Stowell)
1987
47/9
"Palacios Dances" (Kent Stowell)
1998-2003
47/10
"Pas de Deux Campagnolo" (Kent Stowell)
1994-2001
47/11
"Poème Saint-Saens" (Kent Stowell)
1993-2001
47/12
"Quaternary" (Kent Stowell)
1996-2003
47/13
"Ragtime" (Kent Stowell)
1978-1980
47/14
"Ravenna" (Kent Stowell)
1984-1985
47/15
"Romeo and Juliet Pas de Deux" (Kent Stowell)
1982
47/16
"Seattle Slew" (Kent Stowell)
1986-1987
47/17-19
"Silver Lining" (Kent Stowell)
2005
48/1-3
"Swan Lake" (Kent Stowell)
1996-2003
48/4
"Symphonic Impressions" (Kent Stowell)
1988
48/5
"Through Interior Worlds" (Kent Stowell)
1992
48/6
"Time and Ebb" (Kent Stowell)
1994
48/7-8
"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet" (Kent Stowell)
1999-2004
48/9-10
"Zirkus Weill" (Kent Stowell)
1991-1998
48/11
"University of Washington Commencement"
2010
48/12
"Agon" (Francia Russell)
2004
48/13
"Allegro Brilliante" (Francia Russell)
1979-1984
48/14
"Ballet Imperial" (Francia Russell)
2000
48/15
"Chaconne" (Francia Russell)
2001
48/16
"Concerto Barocco" (Francia Russell)
2002
48/17
"Divertimento No. 15" (Francia Russell)
2004
48/18
"Harlequinade Pas de Deux" (Francia Russell)
1990
48/19
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" (Francia Russell)
1991
49/1-3
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" (Francia Russell)
1991-2004
49/4
"Paquita" (Francia Russell)
2003
49/5
"Serenade" (Francia Russell)
1998-2004
49/6
"Stars and Stripes" (Francia Russell)
2000
49/7
"Swan Lake" (Francia Russell)
1996
49/8
"Symphony in C" (Francia Russell)
2004
49/9
"Tarantella Pas de Deux" (Francia Russell)
1995
49/10
"Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux" (Francia Russell)
2003
49/11
"Theme and Variations" (Francia Russell)
2003
49/12
"La Valse" (Francia Russell)
2006
49/13
"Valse Fantaisie" (Francia Russell)
1996
49/14
"Western Symphony" (Francia Russell)
2001
49/15
"Pacific Northwest Ballet Retrospective, 25th Anniversary 9/27/97"
1997
49/16
"Balanchine: Concerto Barocco: Agon/ New York City Ballet"
1956-1960
49/17
"Balanchine: Apollo: Bugaku, New York City Ballet"
1960-1978
49/18
KCTS Program: "Bravo - Celebrating Kent and Francia"
2005
49/19
VHS: "Inside the Pacific Northwest Ballet" by KCTS, Jean Walkinshow
2000

Miscellaneous (Oversize), 1975-2005Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
50/1
New York City Ballet souvenir book
1964
50/1
Kirov souvenir book
1989
50/1
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival souvenir program
1964
50/1
"Nutcracker: the Motion Picture" catalogue
undated
50/1
Poster: "Silver Lining"
undated
50/1
LDS Basketball Tournament booklet (shaped like a basketball)
1964
50/2
University of Utah Ballet Honors Kent Stowell
2001
50/3
News articles regarding Pacific Northwest Ballet School
1980-1982
50/4
Art collages
1971-2005
50/5
Photographs (Kent Stowell and P. Barker in studio C, Francia Russell staging in Geneva, Kent Stowell jumping over Bay Bridge, New York Ballet Costume Company 1962, School Party at Jodi Rea's, Coppelia in Frankfurt)
1962-2005
50/6
Map and notes for "Carmen"
2002
50/7
Costume and set sketches
circa 1992
50/8
Taiwan: souvenir book and programs
1982
50/9
New York City Ballet, Russia tour poster
1962
50/10
San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet souvenir books
1950s-1960s
50/11
Pacific Northwest Ballet brochures
1995-2005
50/12
Carmen Suite Score (Bizet/Schedrin)
1972
50/13
Sheet Music - Bolcom score "The Garden of Eden", Bolcom score "A Gentle Little Fanfare", B. Martinu "Sept Arabesques" score, Saint Saens score "Marche Heroique", Cy Coleman "Too Many Tomorrows" score, Folk Dances from Europe score, Debussy score "Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum", Federico Mompou "Cancion Y Danza 5" score, "I Won't Dance" score from the movie Roberta, Music from Hub Miller)
1950s-2000s
50/14
King County Council award
2004

Artsline and Encore, 1983-2015Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
51/1-5
Artsline
1983-1987
51/6-10
Encore
1987-1992
52/1-11
Encore
1993-2003
53/1-4
Encore
2004-2015
53/5
Programs (not Encore)
1982-2012
53/6-7
Magazine/newsletter inserts
1978-2002
54/1
Magazine/newsletter inserts
2002-2015
54/2
Other Pacific Northwest Ballet dancers' retirement performances
2009-2015
54/3
Summer Inventions
1979-1980
54/4
"Pacific Northwest Ballet Offstage" programs
1991-1995

Oversize posters, drawings, and set pieces, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
55
Miniature wooden sets for "Coppelia"
undated
56-57
Oversized miscellaneous posters, drawings, and set pieces
undated

Kent Stowell and Francia Russell: correspondence, contracts, and administrative, 1968-2005Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
58/1
Tribute letters to Kent Stowell and Francia Russell
2005
58/2
Succession planning
2001-2002
58/3
Extension agreements with Kent Stowell and Francia Russell
2002
58/4-6
Contracts and correspondence
circa 1970s-1980s
58/7
Report to Board
2000-2001
58/8
Correspondence regarding Aya Hamilton and "Nutcracker"
2005-2013
58/9
Dance Magazine review
1968

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Ballerinas--Northwest, Pacific
  • Ballet companies--Northwest, Pacific
  • Ballet dancers--Northwest, Pacific
  • Ballet dancing
  • Choreographers--Northwest, Pacific
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Russell, Francia--Archives
  • Stowell, Kent--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Pacific Northwest Ballet

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Russell, Francia (creator)