Goslar, Lotte

German-born Lotte Goslar (1907-1997), was a dancer, mime, clown, and choreographer who emigrated to the United States, where she established her own company and also became an influential teacher of mime and movement for actors.

Goslar was exposed to innovative developments in modern dance in Germany, studying briefly with Mary Wigman and later joining the Gret Palucca company. Goslar, however, forged her own individual style. Often characterizing herself as a clown, Goslar was partly inspired by the work of the mime, Valeska Gert, but was more gentle and whimsical in her comedic approach. She began creating her own dances while in Palucca's company, but left after two years to begin a solo career. In 1933, while on tour in Prague, she left Germany in protest of the Nazi seizure of power. Erika Mann created a part specifically for Goslar in The Peppermill (1934), a satiric, anti-fascist revue that toured Europe before arriving in New York in 1937. Goslar remained in the United States, eventually winding up for a time in Los Angeles, with its large German émigré community. In 1943 she accepted what initially was to be an eight-week engagement to appear with Elsa Lanchester in a revue at the Turnabout Theatre; it lasted ten years. She also came to know Bertolt Brecht and served as choreographer for the premiere of his play, Galileo (1947), starring Lanchester's husband, Charles Laughton. Brecht would write the scenario for Goslar's piece, Circus Scene. During this time in California she also taught movement classes for actors; among her students was Marilyn Monroe. In 1943 Goslar met her husband Bill Seehaus and the couple eventually settled in Connecticut. In 1954 she created her own company, Lotte Goslar's Pantomime Circus. Developing an extensive repertory, the group toured the United States and Europe for over thirty years.

Lotte Goslar was born Charlotte Goslar, February 27, 1907 in Dresden, Germany. Her parents were Hermann Goslar and Emilie Mueller. She was the third of five children.

Goslar studied at the Mary Wigman School of Dance in the early 1930s, but left because the style didn't suit her. She auditioned for Gret Palucca, who accepted Goslar into her company. While in the company, Goslar began creating her own dances, but only after much urging from friends did she show them to Palucca, who was so impressed that she included Disgruntled into the program. After two years in the company, Goslar left to begin a solo career. In 1933, while on tour in Prague with Palucca, she left Germany in protest when Hitler and the Nazis seized power.

Erika Mann created a part in Peppermill Revue specifically for Goslar, who accepted the role and toured Europe, then toured in the United States in 1934. The show failed in the United States, Goslar was a hit and began fielding offers from agents and producers. In 1943 Goslar began an eight-week engagement with Elsa Lancaster, at the Turnabout Theater in Hollywood; it lasted ten years. During this time she taught movement classes for budding actors, including Marilyn Monroe, who became a friend. In 1947, Goslar served as choreographer for the premiere of Bertolt Brecht's Galileo, starring Charles Laughton.

Goslar met her husband Bill Seehaus in 1943. The couple settled in Connecticut. In 1954 she created Lotte Goslar's Pantomime Circus. The group toured the United States and Europe for over thirty years. Her husband Bill, died unexpectedly in 1959 while she was on tour in Europe.

Goslar died at age 90 in Great Barrington, MA, on October 16, 1997.