TitleCostume worn by Ruth Ann Koesun in "Billy the Kid"
NamesKoesun, Ruth Ann (Associated name)French, Jared, 1905-1988 (Costume designer)
CollectionRuth Ann Koesun collection
Costumes and Accessories
Dates / OriginDate Created: 1950 - 1959 (Questionable)Place: New York?Publisher: producer not identified
Library locationsJerome Robbins Dance DivisionShelf locator: *MGZU 26-481
TopicsKoesun, Ruth AnnLoring, Eugene, 1911-1982. Billy the KidLoring, Eugene, 1911-1982Ballet -- CostumeDance costume -- United States -- 20th centuryTutus (Ballet skirts) -- United States -- 20th century
GenresCostumesDressesdance costumetutus
NotesBiographical/historical: Ruth Ann Koesun wore this costume for a performance of the ballet at the White House for President Lyndon Johnson in 1966.Acquisition: *MGZU 26-481; Gift of; Ellen Coghlan; 2021.Biographical/historical: Ruth Ann Koesun was a ballerina with Ballet Theatre, later American Ballet Theatre (ABT), and became one of the first Asian-American dancers to reach the rank of principal with the company. The daughter of a Chinese physician and a Russian-American mother, she received her ballet training in Chicago and joined Ballet Theatre in 1946. Koesun danced the dual role of the Mother/Sweetheart in "Billy the Kid" many times over the course of her career. After retiring from the ABT in 1969, Koesun returned to Chicago, where she remained involved in the dance world until the time of her death.Biographical/historical: Commissioned by Lincoln Kirstein for his Ballet Caravan troupe, "Billy the Kid" was choreographed by company member Eugene Loring. The ballet follows the tragic trajectory of the infamous outlaw William Bonney, from witnessing his mother's murder as a child to his own demise at the hands of Sheriff Pat Garrett. Premiering on October 16, 1938, the work holds immense historical significance as one of the first distinctly American ballets. With a score by Aaron Copland and costumes designed by Jared French, it helped revolutionize the art form by breaking away from European traditions to blend classical technique with frontier folklore and colloquial movement. First performed by Ballet Theatre (now American Ballet Theatre) in 1940, the piece remains in its active repertory and has been performed by numerous other dance companies worldwide.Exhibitions: The Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library's Treasures, 2024-2025.
Physical DescriptionTulle (meshed textile)Velvet (fabric weave)Voile (textile)SateenExtent: 1 tutu :tulle, satin, and velvet ;approximately 90 x 60 cmWaist: 21 1/2 inches (54.5 cm), Bust: 32 3/4 inches (83 cm), Total length: 36 inches, Bodice length front: 9 inches (22.5 cm), Bodice length back: 7 3/4 inches (20 cm)
DescriptionTutu worn by Ruth Ann Koesun, one of the later interpreters of the role of Billy's Sweetheart, this costume possesses a dreamlike quality that sets it apart from the attire of the other "Mexican" girls in the ballet. The garment, which the character--who appears as an apparition to Billy the Kid--features a dusty rose satin base with a fitted bodice accented by vertical burgundy velvet piping and a red velvet bow at the center, while ethereal layers of light blue and white tulle are gathered around the shoulder straps and neckline to accentuate the dancer's features. Completing this otherworldly effect is a mildly scalloped, double-layered tulle skirt delicately embellished with magenta sequins sewn into scattered floral patterns.
Type of ResourceThree dimensional object
IdentifiersMSS Unit ID: 186173Archives EAD ID: 3405648NYPL Exhibition ID: TL 20.01.PERF76NYPL catalog ID (B-number): b23977249RLIN/OCLC: 1601684329Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): d1ebcc10-03d8-013d-97cf-0242ac110002
Rights StatementThe copyright and related rights status of this item has been reviewed by The New York Public Library, but we were unable to make a conclusive determination as to the copyright status of the item. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use.
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