April 26
Born Today:
Margaret H’Doubler
Dance education pioneer Margaret H’Doubler (1889-1982) began her career as a physical education teacher at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1910, after completing undergraduate work in chemistry, biology, and philosophy. In 1916, she was asked to continue her studies in New York so she could incorporate dance into the curriculum, a move that changed her life. When she returned to Madison, she brought with her the teachings of Gertrude Colby (1874-1960) and Alys Bentley (c.1869-1951), establishing dance classes based on scientific principles. Soon afterwards she formed a performing group named Orchesis and founded the first dance program in the nation. Dance programs have her to thank for the blueprint and for her illuminating and insightful books about dance in education.
Also Born Today: Ballerina Bambi Linn born (1926-) is best known for her performance as Dream Laurey in both the Broadway and the movie version of Oklahoma!. Choreographer Irving Davies (1926-2002) choreographed for The Muppet Show and British TV variety shows and musicals. Indian actor/dancer Minoo Mumtaz (1942-2021) grew up in a dance family and began performing as a child on the stage and in films of the 1950s and 1960s. Ballet dancer Peter Schaufuss (1949-) directed the English National Ballet and the Berlin Ballet. Film star Channing Tatum (1980-) danced in the movies Step Up (2006) and Hail, Caesar! (2016).
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Broadway Premieres:Company in 1970 and Jelly’s Last Jam in 1992