Grand Union (Performance group)

The Grand Union, also know as the Rio Grand Union, came into being in the fall of 1970. A collective of friends, choreographers, and performers, its early members included Trisha Brown, Douglas Dunn, Nancy Green, Yvonne Rainer, Steve Paxton, David Gordon and Barbara Lloyd. The collective dissolved in May 1976 and became the New Grand Union. The members of the New Grand Union were Barbara Dilley, Douglas Dunn, David Gordon, Nancy Lewis and Steve Paxton. The New Grand Union stopped soliciting dates for ensemble performance, but continued to produce and seek sponsorship for its members separately. Performing Artservices, which managed the Grand Union during the early 1970's, donated this collection in 1993. All of the work was improvised in performance, the feeling being that the familiarity and confidence established in previous performances and shared history provided a solid ground for spontaneous behavior and inspiration in performance. An ongoing, constantly changing approach to work resulted in no two performances being alike. Sometimes the evening seemed to be about fun and games; sometimes it was solemn and highly symbolic. Sometimes it was hard to characterize. In this respect the Grand Union seemed to be more about process, involvement, and transition than any fixed view of art and theater.

The Grand Union, also know as the Rio Grand Union, came into being in the fall of 1970. A collective of friends, choreographers, and performers, its early members included Trisha Brown, Douglas Dunn, Nancy Green, Yvonne Rainer, Steve Paxton, David Gordon and Barbara Lloyd. The collective dissolved in May 1976 and became the New Grand Union. The members of the New Grand Union were Barbara Dilley, Douglas Dunn, David Gordon, Nancy Lewis and Steve Paxton. The New Grand Union stopped soliciting dates for ensemble performance, but continued to produce and seek sponsorship for its members separately. All of the work was improvised in performance, the feeling being that the familiarity and confidence established in previous performances and shared history provided a solid ground for spontaneous behavior and inspiration in performance. An ongoing, constantly changing approach to work resulted in no two performances being alike. Sometimes the evening seemed to be about fun and games; sometimes it was solemn and highly symbolic. Sometimes it was hard to characterize. In this respect the Grand Union seemed to be more about process, involvement, and transition than any fixed view of art and theater. Performing Artservices, which managed the Grand Union during the early 1970's, donated this collection in 1993.