Story: Contemporary dance

Physical education and modern dance

Physical education and modern dance

Philip Smithells (seated at front centre) is shown with the first class of the University of Otago School of Physical Education in 1948. Smithells introduced modern dance to the School, teaching a course himself, arranging the year long appointment of Margaret Erlanger from the United States and creating an academic position for a teacher of dance. The focus was on teaching teachers to teach modern dance rather than performance.

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Hocken Library, University of Otago
Reference: S14-500

Permission of the Hocken Library Uare Taoka o Hakena, University of Otago, must be obtained before any re-use of this image. Further information may be obtained from the Library through its website.

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How to cite this page:

Marianne Schultz, 'Contemporary dance - New Zealand practitioners, mid-20th century', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/42586/physical-education-and-modern-dance (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Marianne Schultz, published 22 Oct 2014