Category is: Oral Histories

Showgirl Spotlight: Carla Meyer Arndt

Carla Meyer Arndt was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey to a Marge and Carl Meyer. Marge worked for Prudential Insurance in Newark, while Carla’s father was employed in the Garment District of Manhattan. As an adolescent, Carla assisted a dance instructor in the instructor’s basement of their local housing development. She would continue to help the… continue reading ›

A Dancer’s Life: Meet Lawrence Merritt, Part III

It is with deep sadness that while finalizing this article and working with Lawrence to document his story and memorabilia, we lost a great dancer. A wonderful friend and storyteller with a quick sense of timing and incredible experiences, Lawrence entertained as many while off stage as he did on. The John Hemmer Archive, and… continue reading ›

A Dancer’s Life: Meet Sal Angelica, Part III

The John Hemmer Archive’s The History of An Era, documents lived experiences of the nightclub era. This is the third installment of a three-part series on performer Sal Angelica. To read part I, please visit https://www.johnhemmerarchive.org/a-dancers-life-meet-sal-angelica-part-i/ To reference part II, visit https://www.johnhemmerarchive.org/a-dancers-life-meet-sal-angelica-part-ii/ SA: I am happy to say the 1980s had quieted down for me… continue reading ›

A Dancer’s Life: Meet Sal Angelica, Part II

The John Hemmer Archive’s The History of An Era, documents single and multipart articles to bring lived experiences of the nightclub era to light. This is the second installment of a three-part series on performer Sal Angelica, who began his life and career in New York City before traveling abroad and eventually landing in Vegas. To… continue reading ›

Our Crowning Glory, by Francine M. Storey

I was a 14 year-old dancer living with my family in Long Beach, California when I was invited to join the Long Beach Civic Light Opera Company, which was a semi-professional organization at that time. I was thrilled. Not only did I get to dance, but as the youngest member of the company, I was lovingly… continue reading ›

A Dancer’s Life: Meet Sal Angelica, Part I

Having enjoyed an illustrious and long career in musical theatre, dancer Sal Angelica’s list of credits are lessons in performing arts history.  His story began at a time and place of artistic fervor in America, and in particular in New York City. Sal, you’re currently living in Las Vegas where you have worked many shows,… continue reading ›

A Dancer’s Life: Meet Mollie Fennell Numark, Part II

I took the train with Betty [fellow dancer from Aladdin. See Part I of this article series] to London.  We arrived at the Prince of Whales Theatre where the auditions were to be held. Walking into a mob of female dancers, we thought we had a fat chance of getting the job. All morning groups… continue reading ›

A Dancer’s Life: Meet Mollie Fennell Numark, Part I

Born in England at the onset of The Great Depression, Mollie Fennell Numark embarked upon a dancer’s life under unlikely circumstances. Shaped by experiences from a world faced with vast uncertainty, her disciplined career brought her from the great stages of England to the most renowned American nightclubs of the mid-20th century. Mollie remembers her… continue reading ›