William Como
Encyclopedia
William Como was the Editor-in-Chief of Dance Magazine
during the period of 1970-1988, when it is was ‘the publication of record’, crucial for linking many developments in dance into 'a dance world', through culturally burgeoning decades that rank among the most important theater-arts epochs of the twentieth century.
, was drafted into the US army, straight from high school, at age eighteen, to serve in the Philippines during World War II. On his release from service in 1945, he enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
in New York City. From 1948 to 1953 he worked as a model, dancer and actor in New York and California, but in 1953 left his contracts for personal reasons, finding employment as a “gofer” for Dance Magazine
, at $60/week. Associate publisher Jean Gordon soon recognized his potential, and promoted him to sales manager in 1954, then to advertising manager and assistant to the publisher: posts he held from 1961 to 1969. In May 1968 Como also became, for eleven years, Editor-in-Chief of After Dark
, a NYC entertainment magazine, which he developed from Ballroom Dance Magazine. With the owner of Dance Magazine, Rudolph Orthwine's, passing, and Gordon's assuming ownership, in late 1969 Como succeeded Lydia Joel as Editor-in-Chief, joined by Managing Editor Richard Philp, in Dances small office on West 42d Street. Under Jean Gordon's and Bill Como's command the magazine soon grew in importance, becoming the main national source of information linking the dance world—and, through its growing influence, a forceful shaper of that world nationally and internationally, as it championed small and regional dance companies. Como was involved in other initiatives for promoting excellence in, and appreciation of, ballet in the United States. Along with Walter Terry (see Modern dance
) and others, Como was one of the founders, in 1979, of the USA International Ballet Competition
in Jackson, Mississippi, held every four years.
With the assistance of Philp and with Herbert Migdoll’s designs, Como introduced a distinguishing feature to Dance Magazine: a separate monthly Portfolio, printed on heavy stock paper, dedicated to prominent people in the dance world, historical repertoire, events and institutions. Many of these are, in effect, condensed monographs, of permanent research value. He wrote a regular one-page "Editor's Notes" column for the magazine and published articles and introductions to books. In later years he had a weekly half-hour "Performance Today" program with National Public Radio. Bill Como did not live to write his planned autobiography, which, given his great sociability and his publishing positions, would have provided a lively and informative window on an important epoch in the history of theater arts.
William Como died in hospital of late-diagnosed lung cancer on January 1, 1989, toward the end nursed by Raoul Gelabert. A 'William Como Dance Magazine Scholarship', awarded yearly, has been established.
Dance Magazine
Dance Magazine is an "influential" American trade publication for dance, currently published by the Macfadden Communications Group. It was first published in June 1927 as The American Dancer. William Como was its editor-in-chief from 1970 to his death in 1989. Wendy Perron became its editor-in...
during the period of 1970-1988, when it is was ‘the publication of record’, crucial for linking many developments in dance into 'a dance world', through culturally burgeoning decades that rank among the most important theater-arts epochs of the twentieth century.
Biography
William Como, born in Williamstown, MassachusettsWilliamstown, Massachusetts
Williamstown is a town in Berkshire County, in the northwest corner of Massachusetts. It shares a border with Vermont to the north and New York to the west. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,754 at the 2010 census...
, was drafted into the US army, straight from high school, at age eighteen, to serve in the Philippines during World War II. On his release from service in 1945, he enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with facilities located in Manhattan, New York City – at 120 Madison Avenue, in a landmark building designed by noted architect Stanford White as the original Colony Club – and in Hollywood, California...
in New York City. From 1948 to 1953 he worked as a model, dancer and actor in New York and California, but in 1953 left his contracts for personal reasons, finding employment as a “gofer” for Dance Magazine
Dance Magazine
Dance Magazine is an "influential" American trade publication for dance, currently published by the Macfadden Communications Group. It was first published in June 1927 as The American Dancer. William Como was its editor-in-chief from 1970 to his death in 1989. Wendy Perron became its editor-in...
, at $60/week. Associate publisher Jean Gordon soon recognized his potential, and promoted him to sales manager in 1954, then to advertising manager and assistant to the publisher: posts he held from 1961 to 1969. In May 1968 Como also became, for eleven years, Editor-in-Chief of After Dark
After Dark (magazine)
After Dark was an entertainment magazine that covered theatre, cinema, stage plays, ballet, performance art, and various artists, including singers, actors and actresses, and dancers, among others. First published in May 1968, the magazine succeeded Ballroom Dance Magazine...
, a NYC entertainment magazine, which he developed from Ballroom Dance Magazine. With the owner of Dance Magazine, Rudolph Orthwine's, passing, and Gordon's assuming ownership, in late 1969 Como succeeded Lydia Joel as Editor-in-Chief, joined by Managing Editor Richard Philp, in Dances small office on West 42d Street. Under Jean Gordon's and Bill Como's command the magazine soon grew in importance, becoming the main national source of information linking the dance world—and, through its growing influence, a forceful shaper of that world nationally and internationally, as it championed small and regional dance companies. Como was involved in other initiatives for promoting excellence in, and appreciation of, ballet in the United States. Along with Walter Terry (see Modern dance
Modern dance
Modern dance is a dance form developed in the early 20th century. Although the term Modern dance has also been applied to a category of 20th Century ballroom dances, Modern dance as a term usually refers to 20th century concert dance.-Intro:...
) and others, Como was one of the founders, in 1979, of the USA International Ballet Competition
USA International Ballet Competition
The USA International Ballet Competition, or USA IBC, is one of the world's top competitions for ballet. Located in Jackson, Mississippi, this competition is attended by dancers from all over the world to represent their country for bronze, silver, or gold medals in a variety of categories of...
in Jackson, Mississippi, held every four years.
With the assistance of Philp and with Herbert Migdoll’s designs, Como introduced a distinguishing feature to Dance Magazine: a separate monthly Portfolio, printed on heavy stock paper, dedicated to prominent people in the dance world, historical repertoire, events and institutions. Many of these are, in effect, condensed monographs, of permanent research value. He wrote a regular one-page "Editor's Notes" column for the magazine and published articles and introductions to books. In later years he had a weekly half-hour "Performance Today" program with National Public Radio. Bill Como did not live to write his planned autobiography, which, given his great sociability and his publishing positions, would have provided a lively and informative window on an important epoch in the history of theater arts.
William Como died in hospital of late-diagnosed lung cancer on January 1, 1989, toward the end nursed by Raoul Gelabert. A 'William Como Dance Magazine Scholarship', awarded yearly, has been established.
Writings
- Raoul Gelabert's Anatomy for the Dance: With exercises to improve technique and prevent injuries. As told to William Como. New York: Danab Publishing Co., 2 vol. 1964, 1966
- The Essence of Béjart. Danab Publishing Co., 1972
- Nureyev. New York: Danab Publishing Co., 1973 (small, well-illustrated fascicule)
- Margot Fonteyn. New York: Danab Publishing Co., 1973