MERCE

C UNNINGHAM T RUST
DANCE CAPSULE

Sixteen Dances for Soloist and Company of Three (1951)
PRODUCTION OVERVIEW
Credits:
Choreography: Merce Cunningham
Music: John Cage - Sixteen Dances for soloist and company of three
Dcor: N/A
Costumes and Eleanor de Vito, John Cage, Remy Charlip, Merce Cunningham; coat a gift from
Properties: Antoinette Larrabee and Constance Smith; mask by Remy Charlip after a sketch by John
Heliker
Lighting: Unknown

Company History:
First Performance: Bennet Junior College, Millbrook, NY. 17 January, 1951.
Original Credits: Same as Dance Capsule credits.
Out of Repertory: 1953

Performance Information:
Running Time: 53 minutes
Cast: 4 dancers: 1 man, 3 women
Recorded Music: No recording included. Recommended recording: John Cage 16 Dances (BMG/RCA
Victor 09026,1994)
Live Music: Score available from Edition Peters.
Stage Size: Early works were often performed on small stages. From the mid 70s forward MCDC
standard dancing area was 30 deep by 45 wide, with additional space upstage as
necessary for drops/ decors and their proper lighting.
Masking: Not specified
Sprung Floor: Not specified
House Curtain: Not specified
Floor Covering: Not specified
Dcor: Not specified
Costumes: Not entirely known. Fringed coat with green pants, bird mask, bathing suits, sheer dresses
Lighting: No documented lighting information exists so the piece must be designed using the
guidelines set out in the lighting summary and by referencing the historical description.
Audio: Recorded music: stereo playback

Live music: amplification of instruments as needed (Flute, trumpet, 4 percussionists,

piano, violin and cello)
Props: Various additions and props, two of the girls dragged another one in a basket
Run crew: Sound engineer, light board operator, house curtain operator(s), props, stage manager
 MERCE C UNNINGHAM T RUST
DANCE CAPSULE

Sixteen Dances for Soloist and Company of Three (1951)
CASTING INFORMATION
Original Cast (1951)
MC - Merce Cunningham
DB - Dorothy Berea
MC - Mili Churchill
AW - Anneliese Widman