Comedy
If you’re a dancer, the names Ruth St. Denis, Doris Humphrey and Martha Graham all have deep significance in the development of modern dance in the early to mid part of the 20th century. Even professional dancers today know the history these three masters helped cultivate. Imagine beginning your dance training as a child with Ruth St. Denis, navigating cultural racism while performing with Doris Humphrey and ultimately traveling the world dancing for the great Martha Graham. A name even today’s non-dancers recognize. Our guest today did exactly that. Cristyne Lawson, now 84 years young visits Unofficial and tells her story of beginning her professional dance career at the age of 6 in Santa Monica California, her time at “the old” Juilliard on 125th street and Riverside, her love for everything “Miles” and her auspicious beginnings at the originally named “Colored” Methodist Episcopal Church, (Now Christian Methodist) the recently dubbed Cultural Monument, Santa Monica’s first black Church built before 1900. This has to be one of our favorite episodes, as Myan’s surrogate grandmother spills the beans on what it was like to be a professional, black, female dancer in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. A story so rare as few found success under similar circumstances at that time in our nation’s segregated history. I love Cristyne and hope she had a great time reliving some of her fondest memories from the most special time in her life. Coop&Myan were honored to have her on the show and will cherish this very special episode and the poignant glimpse into Cristyne’s inimitable journey.