Christopher Gillis Explained
Christopher Gillis (February 26, 1951 in Montreal - August 7, 1993 in New York City) was an important gay male dancer and choreographer and member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company.
Early life and career
Born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of the late Gene Gillis, a US Olympic skier, and Rhona Wurtele, a Canadian Olympic skier who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics along with her twin sister Rhoda. His sister, Margie Gillis, is also a dancer and choreographer; they were dance partners from childhood and collaborated on numerous shows. His brother, Jere Gillis, played professional hockey from 1977 to 1987 for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, Quebec Nordiques, Buffalo Sabres, and the Philadelphia Flyers.
Gillis studied with Finis Jhung, with Paul Taylor and with choreographers May O'Donnell and Norman Walker. He performed with José Limón's company.[1]
He joined the Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1976 in New York City. He lived and worked in New York for the next seventeen years. He was designated Taylor's heir-apparent.[2]
His works have been performed by the Paul Taylor company, the White Oak Dance Project and the Fairfax Ballet.[1]
He died from AIDS complications at the age of 42.[1]
Works
As choreographer
- Ne Me Quitte Pas 1993
- Landscape 1993
- Ghost Stories (around 1985?)
- Andalusian Green 1992
- Icarus At Night 1991
- Curbs & Corridors 1990
- Luvs Alphabet 1989
- Spell It Out 1988
- Paean 1987
- VeRS La Glace 1986
- Thin Ice 1982
As dancer
- Fact and Fancy 3 Epitaphs & All / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1991
- Of Bright & Blue Birds & the Gala Sun 1990
- The Sorcerer's Sofa / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1989
- Minikin Fair / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1989
- Speaking in Tongues / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988
- Danbury Mix / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988
- Counterswarm / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988
- Brandenburgs / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988
- Syzygy / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1987
- Kith and Kin / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1987
- A Musical Offering / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1986
- Ab Ovo Usque Ad Mala (From Soup to Nuts) / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1986
- Roses / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1985
- Byzantium / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1984
- Equinox / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1983
- Snow White / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1983
- Sunset / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1983
- Mecuric Tidings / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1982
- Lost, Found and Lost / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1981
- House of Cards / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1981
- Arden Court / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1981
- Le Sacre du Printemps (the Rehearsal) / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1980
- Profiles / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1979
- Nightshade / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1979
- Diggity / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1978
- Airs / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1978
- Aphrodisiamania / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1977
- Dust / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1977
- Images / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1977
- Polaris / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1976
- Cloven Kingdom / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1976
Film
- Eye on Dance, Produced by: Celia Ipiotis. Documentary/Interview with Margie and Christopher Gillis, ARC Videodance NY 1990
Resources
Further reading
He is mentioned in the books:
- Moving Words: Re-Writing Dance, by Gary Morris
- Beyond Shame: Reclaiming the Abandoned History of Radical Gay Sexuality, by Patrick Moore
- The American Dance Festival, by Jack Anderson
Notes and References
- News: Christopher Gillis Is Dead at 42; A Dancer Turned Choreographer . New York Times . August 9, 1993.
- http://www.glbtq.com/arts/taylor_p.html . Coleman . Bud . October 14, 2004 . 2002 . Taylor, Paul (b. 1930) . https://web.archive.org/web/20121022102417/http://www.glbtq.com/arts/taylor_p.html . 2012-10-22 .
