Willis, John (John A.)

Epithet: MD

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000300.0x000152

Epithet: of Add MS 32658

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000300.0x000154

Editor and compiler, John Willis, was responsible for creating Dance World (1966-1979), an annual reference guide that served as the official chronicle of each year's dance season.

Willis was born in Morristown, Tennessee. After graduating from Morristown High School in 1934, he attended Milligan College and later took extension classes at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (1938-41). Willis served in the United States Navy during World War II. In 1944, Willis, along with Daniel Blum and Norman McDonald, created Theatre World, a yearbook about the theater. Based on this successful model, launched Dance World in 1966. The publication covred the dance scene on Broadway, Off-Broadway, as well as national touring companies and professional companies from cities, states, universities and other countries. He served as its editor until 1979. Willis also taught non-consecutively in the New York City public school system for twenty five-years.

From the description of John Willis's Dance World papers, 1950-1984. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 181750405

John Willis was born in Morristown, Tennessee. He attended Morristown High School, from which he graduated in 1934. He attended Milligan College in Tennessee. He later began taking extension classes at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (1938-41).

In 1944, three young men who loved theater, Daniel Blum, Norman McDonald, and John Willis, created Theatre World a magazine about the theater. In 1966 Willis created Dance World, a reference guide in magazine format that served as the official chronicle of each year's dance season (1971-1972, 1972-1973, etc.) on Broadway, Off-Broadway, as well as additionally covering national touring companies and professional companies from cities, states, universities and other countries. He was its editor until 1979.

Willis was in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He also taught non-consecutively in the New York City public schools system for twenty five-years.

From the guide to the John Willis's Dance World papers, 1950-1984, (The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.)