the danse macabre: A Sociological Study, Saturday, May 14, 1938

letterpress on yellow paper, printed both sides. BMC Printshop the dance macabre - a sociological study cast/crew of ~40

Black Mountain College
Saturday, May 14, 1938 in the College Gymnasium
Performance III of the Stage Studies group
The danse macabre
A Sociological Study
The Danse Macabre (Dance of Death) originally a subject of medieval painting, represented the whole of society confronted by an absolute power: death. The rather satirical rendering of this encounter pointed out the characteristics of a morality which, after all, remains in its essence immortal. The dramatization of this “round dance” will always be the result of the contemporary visual conception, and therefore changeable, but the deep truth in it will remain, unconfined to any age.
The study of the Danse Macabre as a play implies many tasks. An attempt has been made to draw parallels between the medieval and modern attitudes; to develop a concrete expression for the abstract thought, with the collaboration of students interested in painting, sculpture, dancing, acting, writing, music, literature and history; and to unify the various symbols into the synthetic whole which a play demands.
The general conception, designing, acting, poetry and music are created and realized by members of the group. The literary version, on which, together with those paintings still preserved, the study was based in some of its parts, was written about five hundred years ago as a free translation of the French. Earlier versions and paintings date as far back as 1300, in all countries of western Europe. From the forty or more characters of these, twelve are chosen for the present day.
Direction Xanti Schawinsky
Character actor designer
Death Bela Martin Bela Martin, Don Page
Cardinal Alex Elliott William Reed
King David Way George Henderickson
Lady of great estate Esther Moellenhoff William Reed
Baron Everitt Herter Everit Herter
Abbess Irene Schawinsky
Astronomer Morton Steinau George Hendrickson
Usurer George Henderickson Richard Porter
Gentilwoman amorosa Susanne Cragin S Cragin, A Albers
Laborer Ralph Beckly Nancy Farrell
Minstrel Duncan Dwight Ruth Bailey, D Dwight
Child Nancy Dalton with Quintus and Andrea
Music by John Evarts, played by Betty Sly (violin and viola), Peggy Barton (flute), Leslie Katz (trombone), Jane Mayhall (soprano), John Evarts (piano), and Allan Sly (percussion).
Poetry by Morton Steinau and Robert Sunley, recited by Allan Sly, Denis Rhodes and Noreen Dann.
Masks by Sue Spayth, Barbara Hill and Neltje Weston. Lighting by Kenelm Winslow.