NYCB Vol. 16 No. 6 - Square Dance and Elisha C. Keeler

Lauryn Johnson
Sep 22
2 min read

Square dance calling was in Elisha’s blood. His father, Thaddeus Keeler, farmer, carpenter and sawyer, was a well known caller and fiddler in his day. Until 1922, the Keeler family lived in the house that is now the Lewisboro police station. Southwest of the house was a large barn and sawmill, the upper floor of which provided a bi-weekly square dance floor for village gatherings with Thaddeus as the caller. And that’s where Elisha learned his craft – a skill that took him to the big time when, in 1957, he was chosen by George Balanchine to assist in the New York City Ballet’s production, “Square Dance”.

Balanchine read profile on Elisha in the New Yorker in 1957 and was inspired to create "Square Dance" for the New York City Ballet. Elisha, assisted by wife Lois, and a bit by daughter Mollie, wrote the "patter" to fit the Corelli-Vivaldi musical excerpts. He was hired to perform the calling patter at the ballet performances, which continued for more than a decade! Later, the Joffrey Ballet company continued "Square Dance", and again Elisha was on the stage in New York.

The New Yorker article that Balanchine read about Elisha — The *New Yorker* article that Balanchine read about Elisha

50 years after the debut in New York, the Kansas City Ballet produced a tribute to Balanchine, performing several of his works, including "Square Dance". Elisha was hired as a consultant, to coach the actor performing the caller role, and was honored at all the performances.

The ballet was performed by New York City Ballet from 1957 to 1964 and Elisha Keeler was on stage at each performance, calling the square dance patter that he (with the help of his entire family) wrote for the dancers. Opening night he received six curtain calls!

Information on Elisha comes from: http://jazznut.com/Elisha.htm