Merry-Go-Rounders (Company)

Established in 1952, the Merry-Go-Rounders was a non-profit children's dance and theater group started by the faculty of the New York YM-YWHA, which continued to perform under various auspices through 1974.

Originally under the artistic direction of Doris Humphrey, the group initially was based at the Children's Dance Department of the 92nd Street Y, which sponsored the Merry-Go-Rounders from 1952-1961. Multicultural in conception, choreographers for the Merry-Go-Rounders included Eva Desca, Geoffrey Holder, Lucas Hoving, Lucy Venable, and John Wilson. Between 1961 to 1968, the Merry-Go-Rounders operated as an independent dance company. Although they primarily performed in the New York City greater metropolitan area, they also appeared in such places as North Carolina, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. From 1968 to about 1974, the Merry-Go-Rounders operated under the Center for Modern Dance Education (CMDE), with a new cast and administrative crew, including artistic director Shirley Ubell. Under CMDE, the Merry-Go-Rounders also held dance classes for children. After 1974, the Merry-Go-Rounders disbanded.

The Merry-Go-Rounders were established in November 1952 as a non-profit children’s dance and theater group to perform educational dance performances. From the beginning they were multicultural, which was reflected in the performances and the audiences. The Merry-Go-Rounders were founded by a number of faculty and teachers at the Children’s Dance Department of the 92nd Street Young Men’s Hebrew Association (YMHA), which sponsored the Merry-Go-Rounders from 1952 - 1961. Doris Humphrey was the artistic director for The Merry-Go-Rounders from the beginning. Choreographers for the Merry-Go-Rounders have included Eva Desca, Geoffrey Holder, Lucas Hoving, Lucy Venable, and John Wilson.

The repertoire from 1952 to 1964 included Celestial Elephant, Dr. Fasolati’s Dilemma, The Goops, A Love for Three Oranges, Weather or Not, and 1-2-3 Follow Me . According to the administrative records, the performances were 40 to 45 minutes, and were usually kept to three production pieces, with one of the production pieces reserved for new works.

The Merry-Go-Rounders operated as an independent dance company from 1961 to 1968. Although they primarily performed in the New York City greater metropolitan area, they also performed in such places as North Carolina, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

In 1967 the Merry-Go-Rounders received the Jennie Heiden Award for Creative Effectiveness. By 1968, their repertoire included new works such as I Can Dance Too!, The Comedians, Harrison Loved His Umbrella, Caribbean Holiday, Dirty Air is Everywhere, and On The Turtle’s Back .

From 1968 to about 1974 the Merry-Go-Rounders were operated under the Center for Modern Dance Education (CMDE) with a new cast and administrative crew including Artistic Director Shirley Ubell and Director Irene Poltis. Under CMDE the Merry-Go-Rounders also held dance classes for children. By the early 1970’s Dirty Air is Everywhere had become one of the most popular production pieces and was highly regarded for its educational value. After 1974 the Merry-Go-Rounders were disbanded.