Background
Lappe, Gemze de was born on February 28, 1922 in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. Daughter of Birch Wood and Maureen (McDonough) de Lappe.
Lappe, Gemze de was born on February 28, 1922 in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. Daughter of Birch Wood and Maureen (McDonough) de Lappe.
Student, High School Music and Art, New York City, 1939. Student, Michael Fokine Ballet, 1939. Student Irma Duncan, Isadora Duncan School, 1931.
Doctor of Fine Arts (honorary), Niagara University, 1989.
Artist-in-residence Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, 1979-1992, professor emeritus, since 1992. Leading member Agnes de Mille Dance Theatre Company, New York City, since 1954. Premier dancer Broadway productions including Oklahoma!, Carousel, Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon (Donaldson award), The King and I (Broadway and film productions), King Simon of Legree (original).
Member American Ballet Theatre, New York City 1953-1954. Appeared in Fall River Legend, Gala Performance, Billy, The Kid and Fancy Free, Gian Carlo Menotti's The Unicorn, The Gorgon and the Manticore, The Countess (orig.). Staged recent productions of Oklahoma! in London and Australia.
Director restages of Rogers and Hammerstein musicals including Takarazuka Company, Japan and Antwerp and Munich Volksoper. Choreographer revivals of Finians Rainbow, South Pacific, Unsinkable Molly Brown. (films) Justine, Credo, 1968.
Appeared with Robert Joffrey Company's television production of Agnes de Mille's Conversations About the Dance. Appeared in Sylvia Fine's muscial comedy Tonight. Booth Theatre (highest critical acclaim), The Gorey Stories.
Guest artist ABT A Rose for Miss Emily, 1971. Restaged original choreography of Agnes de Mille with additional choreography of Mississippi de Lappe for Carousel Houston Opera Company and Omaha Opera Company, 1990. Choreographer Abe Lincoln in Illinois at Vivian Beaumont Theatre, 1996, dances of Brigadoon for New York City Opera, 1996.
Founding member The DeMille Project.
Member American Ballet Theatre, New York City 1953-1954. Member Society Stage Directors and Choreographers, Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, American Guild Museum Artists, American Federation television and Radio Artists.
Married John Carisi, 1959. Children: Peter, Jonathan.