Springfield College Gymnasts, YMCA Tableaux

Item Information

Title:
Springfield College Gymnasts, YMCA Tableaux
Description:
A photograph of the gymnasts at Springfield College performing the YMCA tableaux. The Gymnasts are standing up a "Y" and are carrying the equilateral triangle, the symbol of the YMCA and Springfield College. The Tableaux in Gymnastics was originated by Leslie J. Judd, graduate, Class of 1920, and famous gymnastics coach, 1921 to 1956, of Springfield College. Tableaux, essentially, means living picture. It is a scene performed by costumed actors who remain silent and motionless as if in a picture. The Tableaux have been used throughout theatrical history, but was transformed by Judd to use by gymnasts during performances. The Tableaux as performed by Gymnasts at Springfield College, cover their bodies in a silver formula make-up. Each tableaux expresses an ideal or commemorates a moment. The tableaux is still performed by SC Gymnasts. The history of Gymnastics at Springfield College goes all the way back till nearly the founding of Springfield College in 1885, when Dr. James Naismith, the creator of Basketball, was an early SC Gymnast. Beginning in 1904, the SC Gymnastics team would travel to cities to perform their Gymnastics routines. At the end of their travels, they would perform a “Home Show” at Springfield College, a show they continue to perform to this day. It was during the reign of head coach Leslie Judd, widely considered a father of modern Gymnastics, that the Gymnastics exhibition team really gained a claim to fame. Under the leadership of Professor Leslie J. Judd, the purpose of the Springfield College Exhibition team was to promote and maintain an interest in gymnastics, dance, and the artistic phases of physical education in schools, colleges, YMCAs, and recreational centers. The Exhibition Team has appeared before thousands of spectators in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In fact, in 1941 the team appeared before thirty-five-thousand spectators in twenty-five cities.
Date:
[1970?–2013?]
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Subjects:
Springfield College
Springfield College--Gymnastics
Springfield College--Gymnastics--Men
Springfield College--Sports
Springfield College--Sports--Men
Tableaux
Springfield College--Gymnastics--Exhibition team
Exhibitions
Gymnasts
Gymnastics
Athletes
Performances
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/6362
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Identifier:
rg162-04-d-03-13-001
tableaux-YMCA