The John Willis Collection of Ted Shawn consists of over sixty letters from American
dancer and choreographer Ted Shawn to John Willis, editor of the annual publication
Dance World. The letters contain information
about Jacob’s Pillow Dance, the dance festival and school Shawn founded and operated
in Massachusetts, Shawn’s travel between his Florida and Massachusetts homes, and
his health. The correspondence is warm and personal, and spans the last few years
of
Shawn’s life. Also included are three editions of the annual newsletter Shawn
produced and sent to friends and supporters. The newsletters are long narratives
recounting the previous year of Shawn’s personal and professional life.
Related Material
The Malcolm Pitt Papers at the Ransom Center contain material from Ted Shawn and
Jacob’s Pillow Dance.
