Background
Dunham, Katherine was born on June 22, 1909 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States. Daughter of Albert Millard and Fanny June (Taylor) Dunham.
(The griot Mor Thiam was not only a great drummer, he was ...)
The griot Mor Thiam was not only a great drummer, he was a great story teller.... Thiam would choose the first from a tray of kola nuts which were then passed around to all excepting the very young, and, seated in the midst of his extended family and friends, which made up together just about all of the village, pull up the long sleeves of his kaftan with a graceful gesture and begin his stories. Favorite of them all was Kasamance, a tale they never tired of. Kasamance took many sittings to tell in its entirety, and I am not certain that I have completed it, or that it ever will be complete. However, we will begin where Thiam began, addressing himself at times to all, at times to someone in particular,at times to no one in particular. And if we have made too many errors or have not faithfully followed the words of Thiam, we ask the All Powerful to forgive us, as this was not our intention. (excerpts from Foreword)
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Dunham, Katherine was born on June 22, 1909 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States. Daughter of Albert Millard and Fanny June (Taylor) Dunham.
Bachelor in Anthropology, University of Chicago, 1936; Master of Science, University of Chicago Doctor of Philosophy, Northwestern University LhD (honorary), MacMurray College, 1972.
Director, teacher of own schools of dance, theatre and cultural arts, Chicago, New York City, Haiti, Stockholm and Paris, from 1931. Professional dancer, from 1934. Choreographer for theatre, opera, motion pictures and television.
Member Chicago Opera Company, 1935-1936. Supervisor Chicago City Theatre Project on cultural studies, 1939. Dance director Labor Stage, 1939-1940.
Producer, director Katherine Dunham Dance Company, from 1945. Established dance school Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 1961. Advisor to First World Festival on Negro Art United States Department State, 1966.
Artistic and technical advisor to President of Senegal, 1966-1967. Cultural counselor and director Performing Arts Training Center, Southern Illinois University, East St. Louis, from 1967. Professor Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, from 1968.
(The griot Mor Thiam was not only a great drummer, he was ...)
President Dunham Fund for Research and Development Cultural Arts, Inc. Founder Foundation Study of Arts and Sciences of Vodun. Vice president Foundation Development and Preservation Cultural Arts, Inc.
Board directors National Institute Aging, Illinois Arts Council. Member Illinois committee John F Kennedy Center Alliance Arts Education, American Council Arts in Education, Arts Worth/Intercultural Committee. Consultant Interamerican Institute Ethnomusicology and Folklore, Caracas, Venezuela, National Endowment for Humanities.
Member review committee Organization of American States. Member of advisory board Modern Organisation Dance Evolvement. Member American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, SAG, AEA, American Guild Variety Artists, American Guild Music Artists (Board of Governors 1943-1949), American Federation Radio Artists, Writers Guild, Black Academy Arts and Sciences, Institute Black World (board directors), Negro Actors Guild, Royal Anthropological Society, Lincoln Academy, Sigma Epsilon.
Married Jordis McCoo (divorced ). Married John Thomas Pratt, July 10, 1941 (deceased January 1986). 1 child Marie Christine Pratt.