UA Receives Extensive Dance Book Collection from Gage Bush Englund

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — An autographed book by renowned dancer and choreographer Ted Shawn and a score of music by famed composer George Crum are among a valuable collection of books which will soon be available in the Amelia Gorgas Library at The University of Alabama, thanks to a recent donation of nearly 1,000 volumes on dance by Gage Bush Englund.

Englund, a Birmingham native and long-time resident of both Point Clear and New York City, donated her library of books on dance in honor of professor emeritus Edie Barnes in the department of theatre and dance in UA’s College of Arts and Sciences.

The books were collected over the years by Englund and her late husband Richard Bernard Englund during their more than 30 years as dance professionals in New York City. Together they founded what is now called the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Studio Company of New York.

“My husband was an eclectic collector of many rare and seldom found dance books, so within these volumes will be found a very comprehensive array of books on the philosophy of dance and modern dance techniques. Some of my favorites include biographies on famous dancers. There also is a good deal of material on the Royal Ballet, the Paris opera and the Danish technique, and the collection gives a pretty good overview of the history of dance development in America and Europe,” said Englund.

For many years the books resided in the library of the Englund’s brownstone home in New York City.

“Many of these books were hard to part with, especially those which were either first editions or out of print. But I knew I needed to share the wealth of knowledge with others,” said Englund.

Some of the books which are no longer in print include books authored by Cyril Beaumont and Ivor Guest, both experts in the field of dance.

“I want to credit the work Edie Barnes has done at The University of Alabama, therefore, I would love the collection to be named in her honor because she is the person who brought the UA dance department to its present pinnacle.

I have a tremendous respect for what Barnes has done as well as a great respect for the breadth of the dance program and the excellent work of dancers here,” Englund continued. “Barnes was indispensable in creating the pilot UA American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive program, and her work here has been an example to other ABT intensive programs begun around the country because of her.”

Barnes served as director of the College’s dance program from 1987 to 2005. During her 18 years of leadership, she shaped the program into a respected academic training ground for professional dancers and brought nationally renowned professionals to campus to teach in the program.

Englund was instrumental in helping Barnes form a partnership between the prestigious American Ballet Theatre of New York City and UA to establish The American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive at The University of Alabama. In existence since 1997, the program attracts 200 dancers from around the country for a three-week dance training residency at UA and is part of the department of theatre and dance in UA’s College of Arts and Sciences. Seminars are held on dance history, nutrition and choreography. National demand for entry into the summer program is highly competitive through auditions in seven major U.S. cities each spring.

Englund is ballet mistress of the American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company and is an honorary member of the dance company’s board of trustees

“The College of Arts and Sciences is experiencing Christmas in July with Englund’s most generous gift of her dance library of over 700 books. In New York and throughout the country, Englund’s name is synonymous with the best in professional dance both as a dancer and as a teacher and inspiration to many of this country’s most accomplished dancers,” said Dr. Robert F. Olin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Richard Richards, associate professor in the department of philosophy and coordinator of this year’s ABT Intensive program, agreed with Olin. “Gage Bush and her husband Richard Englund have been central figures in American ballet. These books and musical scores are valuable not only because it was their private collection but on their own merits as well. The University of Alabama is fortunate to be able to give the collection a home,” said Richards.

Bush’s dance career includes membership with the ABT, Joffrey Ballet, Dance Repertory Company and the Huntington Dance Ensemble.

She received a Ford Foundation Scholarship to the School of American Ballet and studied with dance greats in Paris and with the Royal Danish Ballet.

“I think it’s time that students at UA have the opportunity to garner knowledge from the book collection. There are many interesting and unusual books. I know they will be well taken care of here, and I hope they bring a great deal of pleasure, insight and discovery to all who read them,” said Englund.

The College of Arts and Sciences is Alabama’s largest liberal arts college and the University’s largest division, with 355 faculty and 6,600 students.