Florence Rogge Explained

Florence Rogge
Birth Date:December 20, 1904
Birth Place:Detroit, Michigan
Death Date:October 26, 1992 (aged 87)
Death Place:Miami, Florida
Occupation:Choreographer, dancer, theatrical producer
Spouse:Joseph J. Dickman

Florence Rogge (December 20, 1904 – October 26, 1992)[1] was an American dancer and choreographer, and artistic director of the Corps de Ballet at Radio City Music Hall from 1932 to 1952.

Early life and education

Rogge was born in Detroit, Michigan, one of the six daughters of Gustav Rogge and Wilhelmine "Minnie" Berg, both of German descent. Her father was born in Germany and her mother was born in Wisconsin.[2]

Career

Rogge ran a dance studio with Leon Leonidoff in the 1920s, and worked with him and Léonide Massine at the Roxy Theatre.[3] [4] She also worked in Toronto for a time, dancing, teaching and directing theatrical productions.[5] [6] In 1931, she was a guest artist at a meeting of the New York Society of Teachers of Dancing.[7]

Rogge was the artistic director and choreographer of the Corps de Ballet at Radio City Music Hall[8] from its inaugural program in 1932[9] into the 1950s.[10] [11] She designed an original dance program to support each new film shown at the theatre,[12] with fresh programs every few weeks.[13] [14] In 1933, the New York Times dance critic John Martin wrote that Rogge's "routines are distinctly of the 'commercial' type, amorphous and styleless."[15] She was the first woman to produce a show at Radio City Music Hall, in 1935. Her sister Hattie was also on the Radio City staff, as a costume designer.

Rogge's Broadway credits included choreography for two shows, The Well of Romance (1930) and Virginia (1937). A painting by Jules Cannert, depicting Rogge in a barefoot dance pose, was the cover illustration of the February 1930 issue of The Dance magazine.[16] Al Hirschfeld drew Rogge at the control board of the Radio City Music Hall stage in 1940.[17]

She retired from Radio City Music Hall in October 1952, succeeded by her assistant, Margaret Sande.[18] [19]

Personal life

In 1932, Leon Leonidoff's wife made public accusations about the nature of his relationship with Rogge.[20] In 1933, Rogge married businessman Joseph J. Dickman. The Dickmans spent their winters in Florida in the 1950s. She died in Miami, Florida in 1992, at the age of 87.[21]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Birth and death dates for "Florence Rogge Dickman" in the U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; via Ancestry.com. DICKMAN, FLORENCE R. was born 20 December 1904, received Social Security number 059-10-4259 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died October 1992Source: Death Master File (public domain).
  2. News: Stinnett . Jack . 1937-05-05 . She Has Record in Manhattan as Ballet Mistress . 4 . The Morning Chronicle . 2023-04-10 . Newspapers.com.
  3. News: 1935-05-26 . Florence Rogge Show Producer. . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-04-10 . 0362-4331.
  4. News: Martin . John . 1929-05-26 . The Dance: A Crisis for Musical Comedy; Spirit of Creation Lags While Talent Is Drawn to Movies . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-04-10 . 0362-4331.
  5. News: Edel . Leon . 1940-08-24 . Florence Rogge is New York's Famous Woman Stage Producer . 8 . The Calgary Albertan . 2023-04-10 . Newspapers.com.
  6. News: 1922-12-12 . Big Dance Act at Capitol . 9 . The Leader-Post . 2023-04-10 . Newspapers.com.
  7. News: 1931-04-13 . Dancing Teachers Meet; Florence Rogge Is Guest Artist on Program of Wide Range . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-04-10 . 0362-4331.
  8. News: Rogers . W. G. . 1951-02-25 . Ballet is her Daily Business . 109 . Tampa Bay Times . 2023-04-10 . Newspapers.com.
  9. Opfell, Olga Strandvold. "The Dancing Danes in America" The Bridge 9:1 (1986).
  10. News: 1949-07-04 . The Theater: Shoot the Works . en-US . Time . 2023-04-10 . 0040-781X.
  11. News: Wells . Helen . 1952-01-28 . Hialeah's Famous Flamingoes Provide Inspiration for Ballet . 8 . The Miami News . 2023-04-10 . Newspapers.com.
  12. News: 1943-03-14 . The Birth of a Ballet . 106 . The Akron Beacon Journal . 2023-04-10 . Newspapers.com.
  13. News: Hughes . Alice . 1950-11-01 . 'Flo' Rogge Believes Video Ballet Has Great Future . 22 . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . 2023-04-10 . Newspapers.com.
  14. News: 1940-08-25 . A Dancing Girl Does A Man's Job on Broadway Extravaganzas . 15 . The State . 2023-04-10 . Newspapers.com.
  15. News: Martin . John . January 8, 1933 . The Dance: the First Experiment at Radio City . 2 . The New York Times . April 9, 2023 . TimesMachine.
  16. Cannert . Jules . February 1930 . Cover illustration, Florence Rogge . The Dance . cover.
  17. Web site: Hirschfeld . Al . 1940-08-04 . Florence Rogge . 2023-04-10 . Al Hirschfeld Foundation.
  18. News: 1954-08-08 . Music Hall Ballet Combines Spectacular and Classic . 10 . Fort Lauderdale News . 2023-04-10 . Newspapers.com.
  19. News: 1952-09-21 . Miss Rogge Yields Spot in Music Hall . 60 . The Spokesman-Review . 2023-04-10 . Newspapers.com.
  20. News: 1932-01-09 . Mrs. Leon Leonidoff Sues; In Los Angeles She Asks Separate Maintenance of Roxy Manager . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-04-10 . 0362-4331.
  21. News: 1992-10-29 . Obituary for Florence DICKMAN . 27 . South Florida Sun Sentinel . 2023-04-10 . Newspapers.com.

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