Tableaux: The Plunger

Bosworth Studios · [1928?–1955?]

A photograph of five Springfield College gymnasts performing Tableaux. The gymnasts are standing in a line and are bent forward with their legs together. Their heads are facing forward and their arms are held out behind them. This Tableaux was based on the famous R. Tait McKenzie statue "The Plunger" (1925), which shows a swimmer preparing to dive. Springfield College has one of the Bronze statues of the Plunger originally created by McKenzie. 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. Additional copy of item within same folder.