Title: North Dakota Ballet Company Records, 1960-1984

ID: OGLMC1577

Primary Creator: North Dakota Ballet Company

Other Creators: Novak, Kata

Extent: 8.0 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 09/09/2011. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Ballet, Grand Forks - Organizations, Organizational Records

Languages: English

The North Dakota Ballet Company was founded in 1961 by Mrs. Kata Novak and Rogers Barnes.  The mission of the company was to achieve a wider appreciation for the art of dance among the children and adults of Grand Forks.  Its desire was to encourage a more complete culture in the fine arts for people of all ages.

Mrs. Novak, founder of the Company, served as the Ballet Mistress while also performing as the Prima Ballerina.  She also owned the Kay School of Dance, donating the space for auditions, rehearsals, and classes.

Over two years of professional work and planning were undertaken before the first performance was held.  During the Company’s first years, there were a total of fifteen girls and four young men among its members.  It was successful in expanding in the Grand Forks area, as membership in the Company, as well as audiences at performances grew, which was made possible through more productions, scholarships, variety shows, festivals, and summer camps being offered.

The North Dakota Ballet Company enjoyed a successful cooperative venture with the University of North Dakota’s orchestra and dance groups.  Mimi Marr, a modern dance instructor at UND, who held BA and MA degrees, as well as attended several dance schools, became the new owner/director of Kay’s School of Dance.  Having previously conducted the Marr School of Dance, which served children in preschool through high school, Mrs. Marr became one of the finest directors and choreographers of her time during her tenure with the Ballet Company.

Ballet
Grand Forks - Organizations
Organizational Records

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Accruals: Additions were received from: Nancy Marcotte, East Grand Forks, Minnesota on October 31, 2011 (Acc.#2011-3138); Kata Novak, Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 10, 2012 (Acc.#2012-3147)

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: Kata Novak, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Acquisition Method: Donation; Acc.2011-3134

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item).  North Dakota Ballet Company Records.  OGLMC 1577, Box, Folder #.  Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.  Chester Fritz Library.  University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Processing Information: Processed by Katelyn Devine and Daniel Sauerwein, Special Collections Student Assistants in 2012.