Litz, Katherine, -1978

Katherine Litz, modern dancer, teacher and choreographer, was born on July 26 1912 in Denver, Colorado. She studied dance with Martha Graham, Hanya Holm, Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman. She performed with the Humphrey-Weidman Concert Company and with Agnes DeMille. During the 1940s she danced in Broadway musicals and choreographed a section of "Ballet Ballads." Litz worked with Al Carmines on several productions at Judson Memorial Church in New York, and presented programs of her own works in New York and around the country. Over a period of many years she taught and lectured at colleges and universities including Bennington College, Black Mountain College, and Columbia University. In 1947, Litz married the American artist and set designer Charles Oscar, from whom she later separated. Katherine Litz died in New York City on December 19, 1978, three weeks after her last performance.

From the description of Papers, 1927-1982. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 612197061

Katherine Litz was an American choreographer.

From the description of Katherine Litz collection, ca. 1945-1952. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122414697

Katherine Litz, a modern dancer, teacher and choreographer, was born on July 26, 1912 in Denver, Colorado. While in high school she studied dance with Martha Wilcox at the Perry Mansfield Camp. Upon graduation, she left Denver to pursue her career as a dancer.

In New York Litz studied dance with Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman. She also studied composition, ballet, music, acting, and voice. Outside of New York she took courses with Hanya Holm and Martha Graham. Litz performed with the Humphrey-Weidman Concert Company and with Agnes DeMille's concert company. During the 1940s she danced in the Broadway musicals "Oklahoma!" and "Carousel," and she also choreographed and danced the leading role in "Susanna and the Elders," a section of Ballet Ballads. In 1960 she had an acting-dancing role in The Crystal Heart, an off-Broadway musical. She worked with Al Carmines on several productions at Judson Memorial Church in New York. Beginning with a concert in 1948, Litz presented programs of her own works, both solos and for groups, in New York and around the country. She was known for her use of satire and humor in dances such as "The Glyph," created with Lou Harrison and first performed at Black Mountain College in 1951. Over the course of many years Litz taught and lectured at colleges and universities, including Bennington College, Columbia University, and Black Mountain College.

During her career, Litz was the recipient of grants from several organizations, including the Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Lena Robbins Foundation.

In 1947, Litz married the American artist and set designer Charles Oscar. They eventually separated. Katherine Litz died in New York City on December 19, 1978, three weeks after her last performance.

From the guide to the Katherine Litz collection, ca. 1945-1952, (The New York Public Library. Music Division.)

Katherine Litz, a modern dancer, teacher and choreographer, was born July 26, 1912 in Colorado and died in New York City on December 19, 1978.

Litz moved to New York to study with Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman. She also studied composition, ballet, music, acting and voice. She danced with the Humphrey-Weidman company and with Agnes De Mille's concert company. During the 1940's she danced in the Broadway musicals Oklahoma! and Carousel, and she also choreographed and danced the leading role in “Susanna and the Elders,” a section of Ballet Ballads. In 1960 she had an acting-dancing role in The Crystal Heart, an off-Broadway musical. She worked with Al Carmines on several productions at Judson Church. Beginning with a concert in 1948, Litz presented programs of her own works, both solos and for groups, in New York and around the country. She was known for her use of satire and humor in dances such as “The Glyph.” She also taught and lectured at colleges and universities over a period of many years.

During her career, Litz was the recipient of grants from several organizations, including the Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the Lena Robbins Foundation.

In 1947, Litz married the American artist and set designer Charles Oscar, from whom she later separated.

From the guide to the Katherine Litz papers, 1901-1979, (The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.)