Nagrin, Daniel

Nagrin was born May 22, 1917 in NYC; he received his early basic dance training and performance experience with the Experimental Dance Unit, under Bill Matons, with classes taught by Charles Weidman and the Dance Unit directed by Anna Sokolow; he also studied with Elizabeth Anderson-Ivantzova, Edward Caton, Martha Graham, Hanya Holm, and Helen Tamiris; as an American modern and theatrical dancer and choreographer he performed in Façade--expositione Italiana (1938), Liberty song (1942), Up in Central Park (1945), Annie get your gun (1946), Inside USA (1948), Touch and go (1949), Bless you all (1950), Plain and fancy (1955); he staged the dances for a jungle musical film, His majesty O'Keefe (Warner Brothers, 1954) and partnered Miriam Pandor in the dance numbers in Just for you (Paramount, 1952); he co-directed the Tamiris-Nagrin Company and Workshop in the 1960s with his wife, Helen Tamiris; his solo repertory included Strange hero (1948), The fall (1978), and Jacaranda (1979).

Daniel Nagrin was born in 1917 in New York City. Though interested in movement as a child, he did not begin formal dance training until his college years. He designed his own program while attending City College New York, where he met his future wife, choreographer Helen Tamiris. Nagrin appeared as a featured dancer in many of Tamiris’ early Broadway shows. As early as 1948 Nagrin was working on choreographing solo pieces for himself to perform. His focus was on creating characters – often deeply conflicted men caught between outside forces. He also used his choreography and dance to explore social issues. In 1960 he formed the Tamiris-Nagrin dance company with his wife – which toured to modest success. After Tamiris’ death in 1966, Nagrin became preoccupied with exploring the issues surrounding the Vietnam War through dance. In 1971 he founded “The Workgroup” – a company focused on performing improvisational pieces – both with audience interaction and without. Nagrin currently resides in Arizona.

Daniel Nagrin, a noted choreographer and dancer, was born in 1917 in New York City.

Though interested in movement as a child, he did not begin formal dance training until his college years. He designed his own program while attending City College New York, where he met his future wife, choreographer Helen Tamiris. Nagrin appeared as a featured dancer in many of Tamiris' early Broadway shows. As early as 1948 Nagrin was working on choreographing solo pieces for himself to perform. His focus was on creating characters - often deeply conflicted men caught between outside forces. He also used his choreography and dance to explore social issues. In 1960 he formed the Tamiris - Nagrin dance company with his wife - which toured to modest success. After Tamiris' death in 1966, Nagrin became preoccupied with exploring the issues surrounding the Vietnam War through dance. In 1971 he founded "The Workgroup" - a company focused on performing improvisational pieces - both with audience interaction and without. Nagrin currently resides in Arizona.

Biography

Nagrin was born May 22, 1917 in New York City; he received his early basic dance training and performance experience with the Experimental Dance Unit, under Bill Matons, with classes taught by Charles Weidman and the Dance Unit directed by Anna Sokolow; he also studied with Elizabeth Anderson-Ivantzova, Edward Caton, Martha Graham, Hanya Holm, and Helen Tamiris; as an American modern and theatrical dancer and choreographer he performed in Façade--expositione Italiana (1938), Liberty song (1942), Up in Central Park (1945), Annie get your gun (1946), Inside USA (1948), Touch and go (1949), Bless you all (1950), Plain and fancy (1955); he staged the dances for a jungle musical film, His majesty O'Keefe (Warner Brothers, 1954) and partnered Miriam Pandor in the dance numbers in Just for you (Paramount, 1952); he co-directed the Tamiris-Nagrin Company and Workshop in the 1960s with his wife, Helen Tamiris; his solo repertory included Strange hero (1948), The fall (1978), and Jacaranda (1979).