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Juana de Laban: A Brief Biography

I knew Juana de Laban for about twenty-three years. She was my mentor and distinctly affected the course of my life. Throughout those years I was thrilled but perplexed as to why this very strong woman with so many prominent associations would choose to befriend me, and why our friendship kept recurring after periods of being apart. When at the end of her life she handed her personal collection to me for deposit in the Dallas Theater Center, I became the link between this dynamic individual and her final effort to remain part of the fabric of life. In retrospect, as her personal and professional history unfolds a clearer picture emerges. I have constructed this biography from her materials and from correspondence with her family, students, and colleagues. I must stress that Juana was an extremely private person. She almost never spoke of personal things. Many persons still living also wish to respect her privacy. Furthermore, her own notes are often in conflict as to dates and figures. This brief account, therefore, stands to be verified, expanded and perhaps corrected in time.