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The Archive of Anthony Shay’s AVAZ International Dance Theatre
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A Life Dedicated to Dance: Choreography, Direction, and Scholarly Rigor
The Anthony Shay’s Archive is an esteemed resource resulting from the multifaceted career of Anthony Shay, a figure of note in the world of dance. His contributions encompass achievements as a choreographer, director, and, most significantly, a prolific and highly regarded dance scholar. His work stands as a testament to a lifelong dedication to understanding, preserving, and interpreting the diverse dance traditions of the Balkan countries and the Middle East. Shay’s unique perspective is informed by a rich background that spans both artistic creation and rigorous academic inquiry, making his contributions invaluable to the field of dance studies.
Biographical Background and Artistic Foundations
Shay’s journey in dance began early, fueled by a deep-seated passion for movement and cultural expression. This passion led him to found the AVAZ International Dance Theatre in 1977, which he directed until 2007, and to serve as Artistic Director and Choreographer for the AMAN Folk Ensemble from 1963 to 1977. These experiences provided him with a practical, embodied understanding of dance that deeply informs his scholarly work. His artistic activities include over 200 choreographies during a 50-year professional career. Additionally, his early experience as Principal Flutist with the Tehran Symphony Orchestra (1958-1959) demonstrates a long-standing engagement with the arts and cultures of the Middle East, further solidifying his scholarly path.
A scholar’s lifelong work on dance, a treasure.Nima Kiann
Academic Pursuits and Scholarly Contributions
Shay’s academic journey is as impressive as his artistic one. He holds a PhD in Dance History & Theory from UC Riverside, with a dissertation on “Choreophobia: Iranian Solo Improvised Dance in the Southern California Diaspora.” He also holds Master’s degrees in Folklore & Mythology (UCLA) and Anthropology (California State University, Los Angeles), and a BA in International Relations (UCLA). This interdisciplinary academic background has equipped him with a broad and nuanced lens through which to examine dance.
Currently a Professor of Dance and Cultural Studies at Pomona College, Shay has dedicated his academic career to exploring the theoretical and historical underpinnings of dance, with a particular emphasis on the Balkan countries and the Middle East. His scholarly work is characterized by a deep engagement with the cultural, political, and social contexts of dance, and he has made significant contributions to the understanding of how dance intersects with identity, ethnicity, nationalism, and power.
Significant Writings and Research Works
Anthony Shay is one of the most productive dance scholars specializing in the dance theory and history of Balkan countries and the Middle East. His extensive bibliography includes numerous books and peer-reviewed articles that have become foundational texts in the field. Among his most important works are:
- Choreographic Politics: State Folk Dance Ensembles, Representation and Power (2002): This seminal work examines how state-sponsored dance ensembles have been used to construct and reinforce national identities.
- Choreophobia: Solo Improvised Dance in the Iranian World (1999): This groundbreaking study delves into the cultural attitudes toward solo improvised dance in Iran and its diaspora.
- The Oxford Handbook of Dance and Ethnicity (2016), co-edited with Barbara Sellers-Young: This comprehensive volume explores the complex relationships between dance and ethnicity across diverse global contexts.
- Authoritarianism and Dance: These Boots are Made for Dancing (2021): An examination of the intersection of dance and authoritarian regimes.
- The Igor Moiseyev Dance Company: The First Dancing Diplomats: Spectacle, Russian Nationalism, and the Cultural Cold War. (2019): A deep dive into the celebrated Russian dance company.
His numerous peer-reviewed articles cover a vast range of topics, including masculinity in dance, the history of Persian popular music, the role of dance in shaping national identities, and the impact of cultural politics on dance performance. His work consistently demonstrates meticulous research, insightful analysis, and a commitment to challenging conventional understandings of dance.
Anthony Shay's Archive
The Anthony Shay’s Archive represents a unique and invaluable resource for dance scholars and researchers. It contains a wealth of materials related to his research, including field notes, photographs, video recordings, and correspondence. This collection offers a rare glimpse into the process of a leading dance scholar and provides critical documentation of the dance traditions he has studied.
This archive is crucial for understanding the complex interplay of culture, politics, and dance in the regions that Anthony Shay has dedicated his life to studying. His extensive body of work not only documents dance practices but also offers profound insights into the societies from which they emerge. The Anthony Shay’s Archive at Les Ballets Persans will serve as a lasting testament to his extraordinary contributions to the field of dance studies.