Shearer's first solo concert in Manhattan in 1941 at Carnegie Hall, caused a sensation. Shortly after her New York City triumph, she walked away from the fame that was opening for her, settling instead in the American Midwest in the mid-1940s, where she continued to perform in the Chicago area, and inspired numerous students of dance, including John Neumeier who became director of the Hamburg Ballet. Margaret Lloyd said of Sybil in her book "The Borzoi Book of Modern Dance," "Sybil Shearer is a perfectionist who likes to believe that perfection is humanly attainable." Shearer was among the first performers to tackle spiritual and social justice issues, such as the plight of factory workers, a theme of one of her pieces. She drew ideas and inspiration from a variety of artistic influences, including lengthy correspondence with choreographer and dancer Agnes de Mille and writer Virginia Woolf.
Works
Shearer depicted both spiritual visions and human foible in her works, which were predominantly solo concerts. She created "In a Vacuum" in 1941 and "Let the Heavens Open That the Earth May Shine" in 1947. She created "Once Upon a Time" in 1951 which was a suite of solos for fantastically named characters. Shearer choreographed group works, among them "Fables and Proverbs" and "The Reflection in the Puddle Is Mine".
Style
In a photo book by John Martin, Shearer is often seen wearing loose-fitting garments or highly theatrical costumes. Combining the technique of ballet and the freedom of modern dance, Shearer used a pointed or flexed foot, long extended limbs, and contorted shapes or straight lines of the body.
Collaboration
Many of Shearer's productions were in collaboration with Helen Balfour Morrison, a photographer and filmmaker who documented Shearer's career.
Accomplishments
Shearer was appointed artist-in-residence at the Arnold Theatre of the National College of Education located in Evanston, Illinois, in 1962. The school was looking to have an artist of great caliber working close by. As artist-in-residence, Shearer was given the freedom to create works with her company, derived from her repertory, whenever and however she pleased. Her only obligation was to produce one piece that would be performed at the institute's annual assembly. John Martin of The New York Times wrote that Shearer's appointment was the start of alliances formed between established artists and educational institutions.
The Morrison-Shearer Foundation
The Morrison-Shearer Foundation, established in 1991 based at her home in Northbrook, Illinois, preserves the works related to the careers of photographer Helen Balfour Morrison and Shearer. Without Wings the Way Is Steep,, released in 2006.
Shearer made her last appearance, at age 93, at the Art Institute of Chicago, in one of her solos called Flame. She died, aged 93, at Evanston Hospital following a stroke.
