Beverly Schmidt Blossom

Beverly Schmidt Blossom (August 28, 1926 – November 1, 2014) was an American modern dancer, choreographer and teacher. She was an original member and soloist with the Alwin Nikolais Dance Theater, a modern dance choreographer for Illinois Dance Theatre, Blossom & Co. and others, and a Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Born in Chicago, Illinois to Theodore and Florence Schmidt, she held a bachelor's degree in liberal arts from Roosevelt University and a master's degree in dance from Sarah Lawrence College.

She was a principal dancer of the Alwin Nikolais Dance Theatre from 1953-63, dancing alongside Murray Louis and Phyllis Lamhut. She produced concerts of her own choreography in New York in the 1960s, participating in the development of the Filmstage theatre of actor/poet Roberts Blossom, her husband from 1966-70.

Blossom was Professor of Dance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1967-90, and was a Professor Emerita until her death. She choreographed and performed more than 100 works and received numerous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council for the Arts, Illinois Arts Council, and private foundations.

She renewed her career as a performer, presenting her solo works at the 1988 Jacob's Pillow, Massachusetts “Splash” Festival, and at the Joyce Theatre 1989 showcase “Womanworks”.

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