Tableaux: 25th Anniversary

[1940?–1980?]

This photograph shows students forming a tableaux around the number 25. The students are in a variety of sports poses: one has a javelin, one has as baseball bat, and one has a basketball. Unfortunately there is no information available on what the "25" refers to, but it may stand for a 25 year celebration. The Tableaux as used in gymnastics performances was created by Springfield College alumnus Leslie J. Judd (class of 1920), who went on to become a famous gymnastics coach at his alma mater (1921-1956). Tableaux, essentially, means living picture, and it is performed by costumed actors who remain silent and motionless. Tableaux have been used throughout theatrical history, but Judd transformed the idea. Coach Judd and Coach Frank Wolcott, his successor, created Tableaux that expressed ideals and commemorated moments in history. Tableaux are still performed by Springfield College gymnasts. For biographical information on Frank Wolcott, see: https://springfield.as.atlas-sys.com/agents/people/54.