Rhoda S. Grauer is an American cultural anthropologist, filmmaker, and pioneering producer of dance on television. She is recognized for her significant contributions to the performing arts, particularly through her work in documenting and preserving cultural traditions worldwide. Grauer was the Dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts at Long Island University from [year] to [year]. Her career has been marked by a deep commitment to exploring the intersection of traditional and contemporary dance, world culture, and the challenges of cultural preservation.

Early Life and Education

Rhoda S. Grauer
Rhoda S. Grauer
Born	1944
Occupation	Cultural Anthropologist, Filmmaker, Producer, Dean at Long Island University

Rhoda Grauer was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1944. She studied theater at Vassar College, where she graduated in 1966. Her early interest in the performing arts set the stage for a remarkable career in dance production and cultural documentation.

Career

Grauer's career began with her work for the Festival of Two Worlds from 1968 to 1974, where she served as the administrative director. During this time, she also directed or assisted in directing various theatrical productions, including Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead at Vassar College and The Pelican at The Classic Theater at Stagelights.

Her career took a significant turn when she met renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp in 1973, through her work with Jerome Robbins at the Festival of Two Worlds. This meeting introduced her to the mediums of film and video, leading her to become the executive director of the Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation in 1974. Grauer's first production role was for Making Television Dance: A Videotape by Twyla Tharp, featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov, which aired in 1977. This collaboration marked the beginning of a series of productions with Tharp and Baryshnikov, cementing Grauer's reputation as a key figure in bringing dance to television.

In 1978, Grauer was invited to direct dance programs for the National Endowment for the Arts, where she developed and administered a national funding program. Her work continued with NBC's Live from Studio 8H: An Evening with Jerome Robbins and Members of the New York City Ballet in 1980.

Contributions to Dance and Television

Grauer’s work in dance and television is perhaps best exemplified by her time at American Ballet Theatre, where she was invited in 1981 to establish a media department. During this period, she produced the television adaptation of Twyla Tharp's The Catherine Wheel (1981) and Baryshnikov by Tharp (1984). Her productions were noted for their innovative approach to bringing the art of dance to a broader audience.

In 1984, Grauer joined the Performance Programs division of WNET (Channel 13), New York's PBS station, where she worked on the series Great Performances and Dance in America. Some of her notable productions during this period include David Gordon's Made in USA (1987), The Search for Nijinsky's Rite of Spring, and Gregory Hines: Tap Dance in America (1989).

Creation of the Documentary Series DANCING

One of Grauer’s most significant achievements was the creation of the documentary series DANCING (1993), which explored the meaning of dance in world culture. The eight-hour series, filmed across five continents, documented the dance traditions of eighteen cultures and examined why people dance. The series was praised for its depth and breadth, offering a comprehensive look at the role of dance in human society. DANCING remains a landmark in the documentation of cultural traditions, particularly in its focus on the intrinsic value of dance in various communities.

Work in Cultural Preservation and La Galigo

After moving to Bali, Indonesia, in 1997, Grauer focused on preserving endangered cultural traditions. She played a pivotal role in rediscovering and bringing international attention to the Bugis epic La Galigo, an ancient creation myth from Sulawesi. Her efforts led to the stage production I La Galigo, directed by Robert Wilson, which debuted in Singapore in 2004 and toured internationally.

In addition to her work on La Galigo, Grauer directed the documentary The Last Bissu: Sacred Transvestites of La Galigo, which won first prize at the America-Asean/National Geographic All Roads Film Festival in 2005. This documentary is part of her eight-part series Libraries on Fire: When an Elder Dies, a Book Burns, aimed at documenting endangered traditions threatened by globalization.

Papers and Archival Material

Rhoda Grauer's papers, spanning from 1965 to 2011, are housed at the Jerome Robbins Dance Division of The New York Public Library. The collection, which occupies 10.22 linear feet, includes materials related to her career as a producer of dance works for television and stage, including the planning, production, and reception of her documentary series DANCING. The collection offers valuable insights into her work with Twyla Tharp, Jerome Robbins, and the American Ballet Theatre, as well as her contributions to the National Endowment for the Arts and WNET.

Legacy and Recognition

In 2010, La Galigo was inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, recognizing its importance as a cultural and historical artifact. Grauer’s efforts in preserving and promoting cultural heritage have been widely acknowledged, and her work continues to influence the fields of dance, television, and cultural preservation.

Personal Life

Rhoda Grauer currently resides in Bali, Indonesia, where she continues her work in cultural preservation and the performing arts.

Selected Works

Making Television Dance: A Videotape by Twyla Tharp (1977)
The Catherine Wheel (1981)
Baryshnikov by Tharp (1984)
DANCING (1993)
The Last Bissu: Sacred Transvestites of La Galigo (2005)
Libraries on Fire: When an Elder Dies, a Book Burns (Film Series)

References

[1] Rhoda Grauer papers, (S) *MGZMD 443. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library.

[2] "La Galigo," UNESCO Memory of the World Register, 2010.

[3] "The Last Bissu: Sacred Transvestites of La Galigo," Directed by Rhoda Grauer.

[4] "Rhoda Grauer and the Adaptation of La Galigo," [Source Name, Year].

[5] Chris Lapinig, "Performing & Fine Arts Director to Visit Yale," Yale Daily News, September 23, 2005.