This tribute to dancer, choreographer and educator Ruby Millsap was a collaborative endeavor by Lonnie Millsap, Carolyn Dyer, Carole Long and Wanda-Lee Evans. Edited by Jeff Slayton.
Ruby Millsap was first and foremost a modern dancer and choreographer. However, throughout her life, she continued to have a great interest in learning about and participating in the dance styles of cultures from around the world. It was this curiosity that led her to study ethnic-dance technique with master teachers and to perform traditional dances from Thailand, Java, the Middle East, Ghana, Mexico, and Flamenco Dance.
Ruby’s determination to pursue dance seriously began in New York City, where she worked as a Registered Nurse. She took dance classes as often as possible from such notable artists as Pearl Primus, Katherine Dunham, Martha Graham, Gus Solomon Jr., Donald McKayle, Merce Cunningham and Talley Beatty. After moving to Los Angeles Ruby joined Saida Gerard’s Theatre Dance Company, received the Ely Elias Award in fine arts from the University of Judaism, and was encouraged to enroll in the University of California, Los Angeles’s Dance Department by Ms. Gerard.
Ruby Millsap and Forest Gardner – Courtesy of Lonnie Millsap
Inspired by these dance greats, Ruby indeed went on to major in dance at UCLA in 1967 where she performed and choreographed with faculty members, fellow students and guest artists. After presenting her graduate concert focusing on African American folk themes, Ruby earned her master’s degree in Dance. Ruby wanted to start her own modern dance company to choreograph from the wealth of knowledge that she garnered from the many ethnic styles of dance that she had studied, but the prospect of maintaining a company was challenging and a difficult task. Instead, Ruby chose to follow UCLA professor C. Bernard Jackson who was the creator and director of Inner City Cultural Center (ICCC) which offered acting and music classes with the intent of producing new plays to revitalize the Los Angeles community after the upheaval of the Watts riots.
Ruby Millsap with Leslie Watanabe in Donald McKayles “Nocturne” – Photo courtesy of Lonnie Millsap
Ruby became a part of ICCC, teaching, creating and acting for Mr. Jackson as he created new plays. Donald McKayle was brought in to teach modern dance and to form a company to showcase his ballets. Ruby was asked to join the dance company just as it took off with the Los Angeles premier of Mr. McKayle’s celebrated works “Games”, “District Storyville” and “Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder”. As history shows, Donald McKayle and Company was well received and scheduled for additional performances, another season in Los Angeles and touring. Ruby appeared in several ballets with the company including “Migrations”, “Nocturne”, “Sojourn” and Talley Beatty’s “Caravan Serai”. One of the most difficult of these works to mount on the company was “Nocturne” with a score by Moondog, featuring a complicated rhythmic section in 5/4. It was difficult for everyone except Ruby who settled into the section with ease due to her background of studying with Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham that had prepared her for the syncopated movement required. She helped the other dancers to remain on the beat and to enter on stage with the music but “Nocturne” proved too challenging for the male dancers. Although it was dropped from the company’s repertoire, Ruby is remembered as being stunning in this work.
Ruby Millsap with Marvin Tunney (former McKayle and Ailey dancer), Lloyd Hardy (past stage manager for Inner City Repertory Dance Company), and Adele (dancer) at Michele Simmons’ Memorial Celebration – Photo by Wanda-Lee Evans.
Once she decided to become a professional dancer, Ruby, like most dancers pursuing their art, found that the money she earned teaching part-time and working with the company, was insufficient. It was through her commercial work that Ruby was able to subsidize her career dancing on numerous television variety shows including The Flip Wilson Show, Andy Williams Specials, Bill Cosby series. She also choreographed and toured as a dancer with live music reviews including James Brown and The Quincy Jones Review. Her most challenging and satisfying work, however, was with ICCC and Donald McKayle’s Company that led her to many projects choreographing her own work and teaching in various universities where she was loved by her students.
Ruby Millsap with Leslie Watanabe, Lloyd Hardy, and Donald McKayle – Photo courtesy of Lloyd Hardy
Salli Stevenson, of the Hollywood Reporter wrote a glowing review saying…”a moving, gut grabbing love duet created by Ms. Millsap was danced with vitality, precision and compelling fervor.” As an actress, Ruby was a member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre in Los Angeles, The Actor’s Studio and a frequent participant in Beah Richards’ “Theatre of Being”. She was a former faculty member of Fresno State University, UC San Diego, El Camino College and College of the Canyons. Most recently, Ruby appeared on a variety of television shows including HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, “Moving On”, “Insecure”; Comedy Central’s Black Jesus; and CBS’s Late, Late Show with James Corden.
Ruby Millsap speaking at Donald McKayle’s Tribute – Photo by LADC
Although Ruby was an avid private person, she always stayed busy. She raised her son, Lonnie, who is now a well-known cartoonist with the New Yorker Magazine and he has published several books of his cartoons. Always well-spoken and gracious, Ruby continued to fill her life with friends and projects. The dance community has lost a wonderful artist and Ruby Millsap will be greatly missed by her family, friends and colleagues.
Featured image: Ruby Millsap at Birthday Party – Photo by son Lonnie Millsap
