Tableaux: Spirit, Mind, Body

This black-and-white photograph shows ten Springfield College gymnasts forming a Tableaux titled “Spirit, Mind, Body.” The gymnasts are posing around an inverted triangle: Springfield College’s emblem. 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. Luther Halsey Gulick designed the red, inverted, equilateral triangle seal while serving as a faculty member at the School for Christian Workers, now known as Springfield College. The trustees, faculty, and students officially adopted the seal in June 1891. In the early 20th century, the YMCA and YWCA also adopted the emblem. In 1968, the seal was registered as a trademark with the United States Patent Office. This document also covers Springfield College’s early history and Dr. Gulick’s background. Gulick intended the symbol to represent the three united natures of a complete man: physical, mental, and spiritual. For biographical information on Frank Wolcott, see: https://springfield.as.atlas-sys.com/agents/people/54."Body" is handwritten on the photograph, perhaps due to fact that original print was faded