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Betty Lynd Thompson (1902-1985) taught coursework in dance for the Physical Education Department at Oregon State University from 1927 to 1972.
Born and raised in Bloomington, Illinois, Betty Lynd Thompson pursued a diverse range of interests in her youth that included creative writing, swimming, music, math, and tumbling. Thompson discovered modern dance while teaching at Illinois Wesleyan University after earning a Bachelor of arts degree there in 1924. Fascinated by this emerging new art form, Thompson enrolled in graduate school at the University of Wisconsin where a curriculum was beginning to be developed to study and perform modern dance movements. Thompson would go on to complete a master's degree in education at Wisconsin in 1926 with a focus in physical education.
In 1927, Thompson came to Oregon State University to serve as an assistant instructor of dance for the Department of Physical Education for Women. For the first decade and a half of her employment at OSU, Thompson's courseload included all of the department's dance classes which included offerings in modern, folk, square, tap, and ballroom, as well as basic rhythm and movement. By 1945, with the introduction of new faculty into the department to teach dance classes, Thompson was able to concentrate on her major interest of creative and modern dance.
In 1931, Thompson organized a chapter of the Orchesis Modern Dance Honorary Society at OSU and served as the group's advisor until her retirement. Orchesis played a major role in introducing the campus community to modern dance through their annual performances of modern dance pieces in a show called the "Salute to Rhythm". Members of Orchesis were also involved in performance tours with Thompson that took them to venues throughout the Pacific Northwest. These tours included shows staged at military stations during World War II in Washington and British Columbia.
Along with her instructional courseload, Thompson also engaged in research on modern dance. Through this research, Thompson wrote a college textbook for dance instruction,
In 1935, Thompson began to film her students engaged in choreographed modern dance movements. Some of this footage was captioned and compiled into educational reels that were marketed by Thompson to high school and college dance teachers. The films mostly depict students demonstrating basic dance movements and full dance numbers that were performed on campus as a part of the annual Salute to Rhythm shows. Thompson also filmed off-campus dance performances that included footage from the Bennington Festival of Dance in 1938 and 1939. From 1936 until the early 1950s, Thompson produced and promoted 8 different instructional films that drew widespread interest from educators throughout the U.S. and Canada. Thompson used the income generated from the rental of these films to defray instruction related costs and to provide extra support for Orchesis productions.
To stay connected with others in the American modern dance community, Thompson regularly pursued additional training through classes and workshops with dance pioneers such as Martha Graham, José Limón, and Charles Weidman. Much of this professional development occurred during summers or sabbatical leaves arranged by Thompson. These trainings included summer session classes at the Bennington School of the Dance, which Thompson attended from 1938 to 1940.
Having documented her modern dance students on film and in photographs, Thompson begin in 1945 to depict dancers in a new medium: clay. Thompson’s interest in ceramics stemmed from her volunteer work with the USO where a surplus supply of art clay inspired her to sculpt figurines of dancers posed in modern dance movements. Calling her forms “danceramics”, Thompson would go on to sculpt over a dozen different variations of her dancers, including one representing her mentor and friend Martha Graham. With a designated studio space to throw and fire the clay, Thompson produced many copies of some of the figurines to sell and to present to graduating students involved in Orchesis as “Orchesis Senior Awards”. One of Thompson’s early danceramics sculptures was exhibited at the Seattle Art Museum as part of a 1948 show on Pacific Northwest artists.
Officially retiring from OSU in 1972, Thompson remained active as an instructor teaching classes in relaxation and yoga for the Corvallis Senior Center and the Corvallis Parks and Recreation Department. Thompson stayed in the Corvallis area for the rest of her life, imbued with the spirit dance until the end. On her 83rd birthday, colleagues and friends organized a celebration, during which she danced on stage. She died in 1985.
The Betty Lynd Thompson Papers were donated to the University Archives in 1991 by Mary Ellen Armstrong, Thompson's niece. Additions to the collection were received in 2005, 2006, 2016, 2017, and 2020. These later additions were transferred by the College of Public Health and Human Sciences, the OSU Alumni Association, and Ted Cox.
Most of the films in series 15 have been digitized and a small subset of them are available online
Betty Lynd Thompson Papers (MSS Thompson), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
Photographs of Betty Lynd Thompson can be found in several other collections at the Special Collections and Archives Research Center, including: the Gwil Evans Photograph Collection (P 082); the College of Home Economics Photograph Collection (P 044); and Harriet's Photograph Collection (P HC). A transcript of an interview with Thompson in 1982 described as a part of the
Dance instruction at OSU is also documented in the
This collection is organized into 16 series: 1. Correspondence, 1919-1984; 2. Writings, 1916-1967; 3. Instruction, 1929-1971; 4. Notes, 1925-1981; 5. Dance Film Files, 1936-1954; 6. Newspaper Clippings, 1928-1984; 7. Dance Drama Committee, 1933-1954; 8. Radio Program Transcript, 1943; 9. Publications, 1919-1970; 10. Posters, 1943-1961; 11. Biographical Materials, 1895-1971; 12. Scrapbooks, circa 1925-circa 1960; 13. Photographs, 1892-1983; 14. Sketchbook and Drawings, 1941-1948; 15. Audiovisual Materials; circa 1930s-circa 1960s; and 16. Artifacts, 1930-1955.
The Betty Lynd Thompson Papers document the teaching career, research, and writings of dance instructor Thompson. This collection includes correspondence, course materials, event programs, motion picture films, newspaper clippings, notes, photographs, posters, printing blocks, publications, scrapbooks, sound recordings, and ceramic figurines.
The bulk of this collection was generated by Thompson in the course of her teaching activity. Materials from Thompson's classes include syllabi, class handouts, exam keys, and student projects/assignments. Thompson's writings include two publications created as instructional guides on modern dance:
Another element of Thompson's instructional career reflected in this collection relates to her advisory role of the OSU chapter of the Orchesis Honorary Society, which Thompson founded in 1931. The principal activity of Orchesis was the organization of the annual modern dance showcase, Salute to Rhythm, in conjunction with Thompson. These yearly performances are documented through event programs, newspaper clippings, photographs, films, posters, and the printing blocks. The planning of some of the visual elements for the Salute to Rhythm shows is also illustrated through student papers and projects completed for Thompson's "Dance Production" class. Four of the "danceramic" figurines in series 16 were sculpted by Thompson to be presented to graduating seniors that were involved in Orchesis.
Research activity is primarily reflected in notes described in series 4 that were generated by Thompson on a variety of topics that date from her education in high school through to her work at OSU. Among these are notes from Thompson's attendance of the Bennington School of the Dance during the summers of 1938 through 1940.
Thompson's writing work is reflected in both published and unpublished material that includes a number of manuscripts of short stories and articles that were submitted to magazines and newspapers for publication.
In addition to documenting OSU dance students, the motion picture films in series 15 also contain footage of dancers performing at other campuses and venues outside of Corvallis. Along with one film featuring four pieces by the Martha Graham Dance Troupe, other notable dancers depicted on these reels include José Limón, May O' Donnell, Charles Weidman, and Marjorie Dennis. Some of these performances were filmed by Thompson at the Bennington School of the Dance. Series 5 contains records reflecting Thompson's production and management of these films as educational reels marketed to high school and university dance teachers. Most of these films have been digitized and a subset are available online
Thompson's off-campus life with family and friends is reflected in correspondence, films, and photographs. Among the images are many depictions of Thompson's home life that include views of her pet cats and dogs, house and surrounding property, Christmas gatherings, and home ceramics studio. Friendships with fellow OSU faculty Eugene Starr and Eva Seen is illustrated through correspondence, films, and photographs. Some of the films depict Thompson herself demonstrating dance movements that she taught in classes.
Series 1 is made up of correspondence, greeting cards, invitations, thank-you notes, and annual letters reflecting Thompson's interaction with various family members, fellow OSU faculty, instructors of dance and physical education at other universities, and past students of her classes. Along with documenting Thompson's work in planning, promotion, and evaluation of dance events, the materials in this series also relate to Thompson's involvement in various organizations and receipt of awards.
Circular letters written by Thompson to family and friends.
Letter by Thompson to the U.S. Library of Congress seeking copyright guidance for her
Thompson's request to screen the film "Dance with Us" from the Children's Dance Theatre of Salt Lake City.
Evaluation forms distributed by Thompson to collect responses to her modern dance production of "The Planets." This performance was broadcast on KOAC-TV on May 26, 1959.
Includes receipts for 3 purchases of Thompson's "Danceramic" figurines and a brochure for them.
2 folders.
Letters of condolence to Thompson in response to the fire that destroyed her house.
The New York Public Library at Lincoln Center.
Award given to Tompson.
Handwritten draft of a letter by Thompson about a sabbatical leave request.
Eugene Starr was a professor of electrical engineering at Oregon State College from 1927 to 1954. Thompson and Starr were longtime friends and dated for a few years.
Betty's father.
Series 2 is made up of published and unpublished articles, books, instructional guides, poems, and short stories written by Thompson. Most of the short stories are in manuscript form and many include accompanying rejection letters received by publishers whom Thompson contacted.
Short story manuscript.
Short story manuscript.
Four short essays formatted as case studies that Thompson submitted to Oregon State College School of Education professor H.R. Laslett for feedback.
Manuscript with notes, outlines, and a letter of introduction to a publisher.
Instructional guide.
Short story manuscript.
2 copies.
Short story manuscript.
Manuscript likely prepared for OSU Centennial celebration in 1968. Notes with historical information collected by Thompson for this essay on the can be found in series 4.
"Readertorial" article on the 1951 house fire featured in
Short story manuscript.
Text of an address/essay by Thompson about her acquaintence with University of Oregon Physical Education Professor Laura McAllister.
A short essay that likely appeared in an event program.
Short story manuscript.
Notes that appeared in the programs for the annual Salute to Rhythm dance performances.
Manuscript of an article about gardening.
Draft of an article about gardening.
3 copies.
Draft of an article drawing from Thompson's instructional experience.
Mostly handwritten drafts of stories penned for a creative writing class featuring critiques and annotations on many of them.
Article on gardening that appeared in
Series 3 documents Thompson's instruction of coursework and involvement in curricular planning. Primarily comprised of course materials and student assignments drawn from Thompson's classes, this series also includes a symposium proposal, instructional guidelines/policies, event programs, and reference materials relating to the selection of music for particular dance pieces.
2 folders.
The student papers in this file also reference the course as "professional class in creative dance" and "professional creative dance."
Descriptions of various dances, their movements, mood, costumery, and the musical accompaniment recommended for them.
4 folders. Primary focus of this course was to engage students in the various elements involved in the organization and planning of the annual Salute To Rhythm dance showcase.
Event program for the 1930 Giocoso, an activity sponsored by the Women's Physical Education Club. Includes a list of suggestions for staff in managing this annual educational competition.
A student paper by Bob Robertson as a part of a reading and conference project with Thompson.
Includes signup sheets for social dance events outside of class.
Proposal for a summer symposium to be held at Oregon State College.
Series 4 is comprised of notes generated by Thompson in the course of her educational training, instructional planning, and writing projects.
2 folders. Notes from anatomy and kinsiology classes taken by Thompson as a student at the University of Wisconsin.
2 folders. Includes event programs and course materials collected by Thompson while attending the sessions as a student.
Dance step movements outlined for four different dances, consisting of a tango, "blasphemy," "famine walk," and "prayer."
The house documented is listed as being at 2626 Arnold Way in Corvallis.
Notes on index cards relating to the historical development of physical education, nationally and internationally.
Notes from the Oregon State class "House Planning and House Decoration" (CT 431). Includes an outline for the course.
Notations are written mostly on sheet music scales. One of the notebooks may reflect Thompson's high school work.
Two address books containing entries on students involved in the Orchesis Honorary Society.
Includes a rough draft of an essay on "History of Women's P.E. at OSC."
Includes 2 photographic prints.
Series 5 relates to films produced by Thompson that document dance movements performed by her students, which were created as instructional tools oriented to high school and university teachers. This series is mostly made up of correspondence and receipts that reflect the production, publicity, and rental of these films. There are also a few publications featuring announcements and reviews of Thompson's films. The original film reels are described elsewhere in this collection as a part of series 15.
6 folders. Includes 2 photographic negatives.
Series 6 is made up of clippings from newspapers and magazines featuring stories about Thompson. Along with announcements about dance performances by Thompson's students, the clippings also contain articles about events honoring Thompson's career at OSU, her instruction of off-campus classes on relaxation and yoga, her "danceramic" clay figurines, and the fire that destroyed Thompson's house. There are also a number of stories on non-OSU dancers and dance programs.
Series 7 documents the Dance Drama Committee, which was formed by Thompson to manage the costs and sales associated with several publications produced as instructional guides featuring dance exercises paired with musical accompaniments. Aside from writing the dance sections of these publications, Thompson also organized their printing and distribution. The publications managed by this committee are as follows:
7 folders.
Series 8 consists of a transcript of a radio program featuring an interview with Thompson and Oregon State student Madlyn Stearns as a part of a "Pro-Recs on Parade" series on the Vancouver (British Columbia) radio station CJOR. In the interview, which aired on September 11, 1943, Thompson and Stearns describe their tour of performances for Canadian Army camps and Thompson's summer teaching work in Victoria, British Columbia.
Series 9 is comprised of publications collected by Thompson that include event programs, flyers, informational brochures, articles, magazines, reports, and a yearbook. Along with documenting dance performances of Thompson's students and by
Yearbook for Thompson's senior year at Bloomington High School (Illinois).
2 issues in folder: February and April.
Events listed at Oregon State University and Simon Fraser University (British Columbia).
2 folders. Bennington College, Vermont. Along with event programs, this file also includes bulletins for summer session classes and brochures with general information. Thompson attended summer sessions of the Bennington School of the Dance in 1938, 1939, and 1940.
Other Oregon schools represented among these programs include the University of Oregon and the Oregon Normal School (Western Oregon University).
2 folders. "Salute To Rhythm" was an annual showcase of modern dance performance organized by Thompson which featured OSU students. Early on, this annual event was also known as "The Dance" and "Recital of Modern Dance."
Campus events featuring a mixture of theatre, music, and dance performance. Among these programs include two stagings of the "Co-ed Follies" by the OSC Women's Athletic Association.
Weekly newsletter for Oregon State College faculty and staff. Includes listings of women's physical education classes and dance events.
Clinic held on March 9, 1957 and sponsored by the OSC Promenaders and the Department of Education for Women. Instructor was Erma Weir.
A booklet for "scoring" ones' health on a number of physical factors. Published by the OSC Department of Physical Education For Women.
Oregon Department of Education
4 issues in total: 1955, 1965, 1966, and 1967.
Text of an article.
University of Wisconsin. Thompson ('26) is listed in this directory.
Oregon State University Division of Physical Education.
2 folders.
Mostly promotional literature for professional dancers and dance groups.
Mostly articles and published essays.
Materials document associations at OSU, University of Wisconsin, and Purdue University.
Thesis written by Maja Lore Schade for a master of science degree in physical education at the University of Wisconsin.
Published by New York University Press Bookstore.
Catalog of imagery of dancing from classical and art deco sources. References Margaret H'Doubler's dance classes at the University of Wisconsin as the major inspiration for these images.
Composed by Georgia May Moller and promoted to be used for classes with modern dance movements designed by Thompson. Distribution and sale of this publication was coordinated through the OSC Department of Physical Education.
Arranged by Eunice Steel. One of the publications distributed and sold through the Dance Drama Committee.
Written by Eunice Steel. Distribution and sales of this publication coordinated through the Dance Drama Committee.
Collected papers from a national conference of the Phi Delta Pi Honorary Society (women in physical education).
University of Wisconsin Department of Physical Education for Women.
W. Arthur Koski, OSU physical education professor.
Series 10 is made up of posters publicizing "Salute to Rhythm" dance performances as well as Corvallis shows from professional dance troupes brought to town by Thompson.
Series 11 contains employment records, grade reports, class schedules, genealogical notes, receipts, a biographical essay, and various ephemera that document Thompson's career and family history.
Series 12 is made up of scrapbooks assembled by Ruth Glassow, Dolores Pfahl, and Kathi Booth that contain clippings from newspapers and magazines with articles about dance, images of posture and movement in art, and progams from annual dance concerts organized by Thompson. Glassow served as the Director of Physical Education Department for Women at Oregon State College. Pfahl and Booth attended OSU in the late 1950s.
Scrapbook assembled by Ruth Glassow.
This scrapbook contains programs for the annual "Salute to Rhythm" performances organized by Thompson and Orchesis. Assembled by Dolores Pfahl.
Series 13 consists of photographic images taken and collected by Thompson that depict students engaged in dance, various members of Thompson's family, outdoor outings with friends, views of her homes and property, Thompson's pet cats and dogs, and portrait shots. Thompson's dance students are depicted in dance poses in both individual and group shots. Some of the students portrayed are identified by name and Thompson is featured in a few of the shots. There are a total of 2533 photographs (1848 prints, 605 negatives, and 80 slides/transparencies) in this series. Negatives found to be on nitrate film stock have been separated and are stored in box 13. There are 21 of these images.
3 folders. Thompson's pet cats and kittens.
Thompson's ceramics studio space at home and some of her sculpted clay figurines which she referred to as "Danceramics."
Christmas trees and house decor.
Thompson's pet dogs.
Toy's daughter, Mary Ellen Toy, was a dance student of Thompson's whose drawings depicting dancers was featured in Orchesis concert programs and the notebook described in series 14.
Images depicting an exhibit on display in the Women's Building on past events and members of the OSU Chapter of the Orchesis Honorary Society.
4 folders. Images of Thompson's family and friends. Primarily made up of portrait shots, these photos also depict family gatherings, beach trips, and various social activities attended by Thompson.
2 folders. Exterior and interior shots of Thompson's houses and property, mostly depicting the Seven Oaks residence. Includes a few views of charred remains resulting from the 1953 house fire.
Dance professor at the University of British Columbia. A student of Thompson's.
These images document two trips taken by Thompson in 1920 in her home state of Illinois. They are identified as "TKE Annual Trip to Starved Rock" and "Camping out at Havana, Illinois." The photographs depict Thompson with family members and fellow students from Illinois Wesleyan University. The prints are mounted on scrapbook pages.
Images of Physical Education Department staff and classes. Some of these views are likely depicting Women's Recreation Association activities.
6 folders. Organized into three time groupings: 1920-30s; 1940-50s; and 1960s. Among these images are stills from the dance films described in series.
Promotional glossies for professional dancer Mary Tiffany.
Shots from Thompson's trip to Victoria, B.C.
Group shots of Women's basketball and field hockey teams at Oregon Agricultural College.
21 images.
Series 14 is comprised of a sketchbook and three drawings created by Thompson's students that depict modern dance forms.
Three drawings of modern dance forms and figures created by Thompson's students. One is entitled "Daphne" and depicts one of Thompson's sculpted figurines. The second is an untitled pencil sketch of one of the dancers featured on the program for the 1945 Salute to Rhythm dance showcase. The third illustration shows two abstract forms engaged in dance movement. The artists attributed to the first and third drawings are Laura Burgess and Jeanette Holroyd, respectively.
This sketchbook contains drawings of dancers engaged in modern dance movements. These sketches were drawn by Mary Ellen Toy, a dance student of Thompson's who is credited with the costume design for the 1941 Salute to Rhythm dance showcase as well as the design of the event program cover. A copy of that program is inside the sketchbook.
Series 15 is made up of motion picture film and sound recordings produced and collected by Thompson that document her instruction of modern dance. The films number 59 reels in total and are composed of 8mm and 16mm film stock. These films primarily contain footage of OSU students engaged in dance movements choreographed by Thompson. Some of this footage was compiled into instructional reels that Thompson publicized for use to high school and university dance educators. A handful of the reels contain more personal content of visiting family, nature outings, and off-campus dance performances. Each reel is is housed in its own container that is identified as a FC (film can) followed by a number.
The sound recordings are comprised of four vinyl phonograph discs are all undated. Three of the discs are identified as part of a warm up series likely used for instruction.
Most of these films have been digitized and are available upon request. A small subset of these films is available online
1 film reel (16mm): color, sound. Footage from several sets of indoor performances in different venues. This reel is housed in a metal canister. This film can be viewed online
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Footage of dance by students from Thompson's intermediate and advanced classes demonstrating several modern dance movements. Filmed outdoors and indoors. This film can be viewed online
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Students performing scenes from two dance pieces, "Episodes from a Trial" and "Campus Moods." Filmed both indoors and outdoors. This film can be viewed online
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Dancers performing five pieces. The first one is untitled and the 4 others are identified as arrangements by Martha Graham and performed by her dance troupe. These are titled: "Air Primitive," "Impressionism," "Archaic Duet," and "The Kiss of Judas." Filmed indoors at Bennington College. This film can be viewed online
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent. A group of students dancing outdoors. This film can be viewed online
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent. A group of students dancing outdoors. This film can be viewed online
1 film reel (16mm): black and white and color; silent. Two clips, one in color and the other one on black and white film, of a woman dancing outdoors. The dancer is Betty Lynd Thompson. This film can be viewed online
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Footage of a dance class with students demonstrating various movements. Filmed indoors at the Bennington School of the Dance at Mills College. This film can be viewed online
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent. Footage from a women's field hockey played on OSU campus. This film can be viewed online
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Footage of dance movements by students indoors in a gym. Reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent. Footage shot at Bennington College during their summer Festival of Modern Dance program. Depicts two dance pieces perfomed outdoors and an unidentified man and woman. Reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent. Footage from the Bennington Modern Dance Festival. Two clips of a dance performance inside a gym and informal shots of participants socializing. The three that are idenitifed in this grouping are Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman, and Doris' son. Reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Footage of a dance student engaging in dance movements in a gym. Reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (8mm): color, silent. Footage of people in a living room around a Christmas tree. Reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Footage of two dance movements being performed: a student in an indoor space and a group of four outdoors with a parachute. Reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent. Indoor stage dance performance. Reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent. Indoor stage dance performance. Reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent. Footage of a dance performance inside a gym. Reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm) black and white, silent. Footage of dancers inside and outside the Women's Building on OSU Campus demonstrating various dance movements. Reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Footage of an indoor dance performance. This is reel 1 of two reels, the second is in FC 60. Both appear to be undeveloped negative film stock. These reels have not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Footage of an indoor dance performance. The second of two reels, the first of which is described in FC10. Reel is composed of undeveloped negative film stock. These reels have not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent. Indoor stage dance performance by students Madlyn Stearns and Blanche King. This reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Footage of dance movements outside the Women's Building. Some of the footage is also featured in the Classes in Creative Dance film. This reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Footage of students dancing outdoors in groups on campus. This reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Four sets of captions for dance films, no imagery. This reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent. Footage of students dancing 3 sets of dances in a gym. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (8mm): black and white, silent. Footage of a group dance performance on an indoor stage; a single dancer performing indoors. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (8mm): color, silent. Footage of children with a parent. Shot on a neighborhood street in an unidentified city. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (8mm): color, slient. Footage of two women in engaged in various dance movements indoors and outdoors. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Footage of dancers engaged in various movements outdoors. This reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Footage of OSU campus with shots of the Women's Building and a woman walking her dog across the Memorial Union Quad. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color; silent. Dance movements performed indoors by a male dancer. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Dance movements performed by a female dancer indoors on a stage. Identified as Helen Hull. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent: Footage of dancers performing falling movements outside near the Women's Building and one dancer on stage indoors. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Footage of dancers performing movements in a gym. This reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Footage of a group of dancers performing movements outside in front of Women's Building. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Dance movements by a woman in an indoor studio space. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Stage performance by two professional dancers. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Footage of dancers engaged in movements outside the Women's Building. This reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Footage of Betty Lynd Thompson outdoors demonstrating dance movements of rising and falling. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white, silent. Footage of dancers performing a trunk-springing movement. This reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): color, silent. Footage of an outside performance on the OSU campus by a large group of dancers. Another clip from the same performance is also depicted in the "Beauty of Lillies" film reel in FC 40. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm) black and white; silent. Footage of two women filmed outside, one is Thompson and the other may be Oregon State College faculty Eva Seen. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm) color; silent. Footage of two dancers performing a variety of movements on stage in two different sets. This reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Footage of dancers performing movements in a gym. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color; silent. Footage of an indoor stage performance with 3 dancers. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color; silent. Footage of a large group of dancers doing movements on a patio next to a building. Location is possibly Mills College during the Bennington Festival. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Footage of two young women (Thompson's visiting family?) outdoor with pets in front of a house, biking, and riding horses in a corral. In the corral, the top of Weatherford Hall is visible in the background. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color; silent. Footage of Mount Hood filmed from Timberline Lodge and from a distance. This reel has not been digitized.
1 film reel (16mm): color; silent. Footage of 4 students engaged in dance movements outside on OSU campus. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color; silent. Footage of three dancers on stage. From the same performance documented as the reel in FC21. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
2 film reels (8mm): color; silent. Footage of a skiing trip to Crater Lake during fall/winter. Thompson is depicted along with a male travelling companion (Eugene Starr?). Reels have been digitized and are available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color; silent. Footage of a stage performance by four dancers (2 women/2 men). Same performance depicted in the reel in FC 35. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color; silent. Footage from the same stage performance depicted on the reel in FC 28. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Footage of a dance performance outside by 5 students. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): color; silent. Footage of a dance performance outside on OSU campus with a large group of students. Thompson is among the dancers. This performance is also documented on the "Andante II" reel in FC 41. This reel has been digitized and is available upon request.
1 film reel (16mm): black and white; silent. Footage of dance movements by students inside a gym. This reel has not been digitized.
Phonograph record.
Phonograph record.
Phonograph record.
Series 16 consists of artifacts that are made up of ceramic figurines, lithographic plates, and printing blocks. The figurines were designed and sculpted by Thompson to depict representations of modern dance movements in a form that she called "danceramics." There are eight figurines in total representing five different designs. Four of these figurines are of an identical seated dancer design that were produced in quantity for distribution to graduating members of the Orchesis Honorary Society. These particular figurines, known as the Orchesis Senior Awards, contain the names of the students who received them. The three wood mounted blocks feature lino cut etchings of stylized dancers that were created to print programs for the annual dance showcase. The plates were formed as part of a printing process to reproduce photographic images for posters and programs. Several of the images on these plates have corresponding photographic prints in series 13.
Figure is seated and bending backwards with arms folded. Other than the title "Merrie" description on the figurine includes the numbers "12/28" and "55."
Figure is standing with left leg raised and arms behind back.
Figure is standing and bending to the right side. Left hand is broken off.
Figure is standing and bending to the right side with arms folded over head.
Figure is seated with right arm extended upward. Phyllis Markee (Brown) received this award in 1950.
Same design as figurine 7.5. Loretta
Same design as figurine 7.5. Right hand and part of arm broken off.
Sam design as figurine 7.5. Right hand is broken off. Ernie is likely a reference to Ernestine Cotta ('46).
Lino cut printing block mounted on wood. Image appeared on the program for the 1930 annual modern dance showcase (later known as the Salute to Rhythm).
Lino cut printing block mounted on wood. Image featured on the program for the 1951 Salute To Rhythm annual dance showcase.
Lino cut printing block mounted on wood. Image featured on a dance program.
Dance student Madlyn Stearns leaping in mid-air. This image was featured on a poster (see box 10) for the 1943 Salute To Rhythm showcase. The plate is mounted on wood.
Image depicts four dancers on stage in a performance featured at the 1950 Salute To Rhythm showcase.
Image depicts dance students gathered around a piano with Helen Poling playing. Thompson is pictured among the students. Plate is mounted on wood.
Image depicts student Pat Vaughn dancing.
Image depicts four dancers on stage, three of whom are wearing bunny suits. The students are identified as: Agnes Moll, Phyllis Brown, Sara Mae Addis, and Jeanette Holroyd.
Image depicts four dancers on a stage. Three of whom are posed in a dance movement while the fourth is seated and holding a sculpture of a dancer.