MERCE

  C UNNINGHAM   T RUST  
DANCE  CAPSULE  
 
Septet (1953)
PRODUCTION OVERVIEW
Credits:
Choreography: Merce Cunningham
Music: Erik Satie - Trois Morceaux en forme de poire
Décor: N/A
Costumes: Remy Charlip
Lighting: Remy Charlip

Company History:
First Performance: Black Mountain College, Black Mountain, NC. 22 August, 1953
Original Credits: Same as Dance Capsule credits
Out of Repertory: 1964
Revival: 1976, 1987-1989

Performance Information:
Running Time: 16 minutes
Cast: 6 dancers: 3 men, 3 women
Recorded Music: Published recordings available. The licensee must obtain permission from the publisher
to use recorded music in performance. Recording contained in capsule for reference only.
Recording to be played through a stereo PA system appropriate for the performance
venue.
Live Music: 2 pianists. Scores widely available.
Stage Size: 45’ wide x 30’ deep (can be performed on smaller stages). Additional 4’-6’ of space
required upstage for proper scrim lighting.
Masking: Black legs and borders in standard repertory dance setup (Italian Masking); 4 or 5 wings
Sprung Floor: Recommended
House Curtain: Recommended
Floor Covering: Black marley
Décor: Front-lit White Cyclorama with black scrim downstage of cyc lights.
Costumes: Women in camisole leotards in pink, green, white with nude tights. Men in long sleeve
tops and tights in blue, black, purple, pink, green.
Lighting: Can be accomplished with most dance repertory plots as long as provisions are made for
lighting the cyc. Requires: (92) ellipsoidals, (36) fresnels @ 2kw, (27) far cycs, and (141)
dimmers @ 2.4kw
Audio: Recorded playback: Stereo playback, PA system
Live Music: Grand piano, microphones and sound reinforcement as necessary for
performance venue
Props: None
Run crew: Sound engineer, light board operator, house curtain operator(s), stage manager

 
 MERCE   C UNNINGHAM   T RUST  
DANCE  CAPSULE  
 
Septet (1953)
CASTING INFORMATION
Original Cast (1953) SM Calling Document and 1987 Revival
1953 Performance Video
MC - Merce Cunningham MC – Merce Cunningham RS – Robert Swinston
CB - Carolyn Brown CB – Carolyn Brown KrS – Kristy Santimyer
AD - Anita Dencks BL – Barbara Lloyd CT – Carol Teitelbaum
(split Marianne Preger’s role) (Marianne Preger’s original role)
VF - Viola Farber
(split Marianne Preger’s role)
JAM - Jo Anne Melsher VF – Viola Farber KR – Karen Radford
RC - Remy Charlip SP – Steve Paxton DOC – Dennis O’Connor
PT - Paul Taylor WD – William Davis CK – Chris Komar