Welcome

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My name is Caroline Hamilton and I am an historian and curator specializing in early twentieth-century ballet and the evolution of dance costume. I was born in Australian but now live in Boston, USA, where I work as a freelance historian and curator.

I have written extensively on ballet, modern dance, and costume including as a writer for Dance We Must: The Art and Costumes of Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn, 1906–1940 (2022), Ballet: The Definitive Illustrated Story (London: Dorling Kindersley, 2018) and Anna Pavlova: Twentieth Century Ballerina (London: Booth-Clibborn Editions, 2012).

In 2022 I completed my technē funded PhD  between the University of Brighton and the Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust. My doctoral thesis examined the design and impact of the short-lived ballet company Les Ballets 1933 through the surviving costumes and ephemera.

You can follow my archival adventures both on my Instagram @_travellinghistorian and my blog Adventures of a Travelling Historian.

 

History & Archives

Caroline is passionate about dance and costume history and is always striving to find ways to engage new audiences whether through exhibitions, articles or performance. Caroline specializes in early twentieth century dance and ballet with a focus on the evolution of costume. The Ballets Russes The costumes of the Ballets Russes has been an interest… Continue reading History & Archives

Exhibitions

Caroline has worked on a range of exhibitions and events as a curator, historian, and costume mounter. Dance We Must: Another Look Costume mounter and contributing writer for the exhibition Dance We Must: Another Look at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Massachusetts, June – September 2019. Photographs by Christopher Duggan Dance We Must: Treasures from Jacob’s… Continue reading Exhibitions

Performance

Caroline trained as a costume maker with The Royal Winnipeg Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada. This knowledge, combined with Caroline’s skill as a researcher and historian has enabled her to work with many companies and designers in the reconstruction of early twentieth century dance works. Caroline specializes in researching the original design and… Continue reading Performance