Judson Dance Theater

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Elaine Summers. Stills from _Judson Fragments_, 1964. 16mm film transferred to video (color and black-and-white, sound), 16 min. © The Estate of Elaine Summers. Courtesy The Performing Arts Research Collections, Jerome Robbins Dance Division, New York Public Library, Gift of Elaine Summers

Sanctuary Overview. 1964 2870

Elaine Summers. Stills from Judson Fragments, 1964. 16mm film transferred to video (color and black-and-white, sound), 16 min. © The Estate of Elaine Summers. Courtesy The Performing Arts Research Collections, Jerome Robbins Dance Division, New York Public Library, Gift of Elaine Summers

THOMAS J. LAX: Judson Dance Theater concerts took place all over the church, from the basement to the altar. In the sanctuary, pews would be cleared out after Sunday services to make way for the dancers. Choreographer David Gordon:

DAVID GORDON: When the performances first happened, everybody showed right in front of the altar which was a raised place with a huge cross. Some people did it up there. Some people did it on the ground below.

THOMAS J. LAX: Choreographer Aileen Passloff:

AILEEN PASSLOFF: Judson is Open Arms, Judson is Big Momma. Judson is come in whatever you need we're gonna try to give it to you. You will need a shower, come here. There's a shower, there's a toilet, there's a place to eat your lunch. You want to practice, there's a place to practice. You know the thing about those guys is, well, they believed in us, and they believed in the world.