Theda Assiff-MacGriff was a first generation American and the fourth child born to Lebanese-Americans Saloma (Saffady) and Salim (Sam) Assiff on January 3, 1926, in Lansing, Michigan. Theda was 97½ years old.
She was predeceased by her husband of 38 years, Detroit newspaper publisher Jack MacGriff, her sister Rita Assiff, and her brothers John and Robert Assiff. She is survived by her son Scott MacGriff (Michelle), and her daughter Patrice (“P.K.”) Van Voorhees (Randy). She is also survived by her five grandchildren Christopher (Devin), Spencer (Emily) and Chelsea MacGriff, Parker and Kaleel Van Voorhees, and her four great grandchildren Blase, Somerset, Thomas, and Theodore MacGriff, as well as nephew John Alan Assiff (Anne), and grandnieces Amanda Haskell and Jennifer Lindsay Perkes (Brett).
Theda had an adventurous and well-lived life. She learned to drive at age 7, danced on ballet pointe by age 9, graduated from Lansing Central High School in 1942 at 16 years old, and immediately left for New York City where she became a member of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet Corps. She soon founded her own dance company, The Ballet Maniacs. She and her company toured up and down the East Coast, performed in the Miami Latin Quarter, and entertained U.S. troops in many USO performances in the early 1940’s. At the insistence of her family she returned to Michigan and graduated from Michigan State College (now MSU) in 1949 with an English degree, and a Masters Degree in Speech and Theatre. She taught at the MSC Department of Theatre for seven years and was a founder of Dionysians, which produced original student shows at the Fairchild Theatre. To support herself through school she taught dance in the Quonset Huts on campus. After graduation, she opened her own studio, first renting space in the basement of a downtown church and eventually purchasing her own building on Grand River Avenue in East Lansing, next to People’s Church. Theda was a life-long Spartan fan, holding football season tickets for over 50 years, and was named Michigan State University Distinguished Alumni of the year for her life-long work in the arts in 2013.
Theda, or “Miss Assiff” as she was lovingly known by her students, was a life-long dance teacher and choreographer, and shared her love of the art of dance with thousands of students for over 80 years. She started teaching students in the 1940’s, and held her last dance class in 2020. A pioneer businesswoman and arts educator, she founded the Assiff Studio of the Dance in 1950 in East Lansing. She taught all forms of dance, from Ballet/Pointe, Tap, Jazz and Ballroom, to Spanish Dance and Castanets, Scottish Highland Dance, Country and Indian Dance, as well as Musical Theatre, among many others. She was renowned and highly respected for her Ballet technique, teaching all levels and ages. She took students to the USA International Ballet Competition, where they were exposed to worldwide master teachers and dancers in Ballet. Her former students have performed in national and international professional dance companies, Broadway shows, in films and on T.V. Many students have carried her passion for dance forward by starting their own dance studios, including her daughter Patrice. Theda mentored and helped Patrice create “The Studio Performing Arts Center” in East Lansing, and taught master classes there until she was 94 years old.
Theda was a founding member of the former Lansing Ballet Association (later the Lansing Ballet Company and the Children’s Ballet Theatre). She was a student (and friend) of the most influential dance artists of her day including Valentina Pereyaslavec, Alexandra Danilova, Jose Limon, Gus Giordano, “Honi” Coles, Paul Draper and Luigi, among many others.
Theda was also a life-long patron of the Arts, generously volunteering her time as a choreographer to many professional and community theaters and schools. East Lansing Educational Foundation created the Theda Assiff Award for Distinguished Community Service to honor her efforts. She adjudicated at dance conventions and was a sought-after master teacher and genius choreographer. She choreographed musicals for local area high schools with a minimum two musicals per year for more than 60 years. Theda also advised in the creation of the Ballet Arts Program at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, a summer camp for the arts, where over 6000 students are engaged each year.
Theda held memberships in many professional organizations including life memberships in the American Society of Teachers of Dancing, the oldest organization of dance teachers in the United States (and once served on its Board of Directors in the National Council), and Dance Educators of America. She has been recognized for her lifetime contributions and community service, often and regularly, including the City of East Lansing’s Crystal Award for significant contributions to community life, and the Michigan State University College of Communication Arts and Sciences Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. Theda has been a life-long member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Theda was beloved for her charisma, her gentle kindness, her business acumen and entrepreneurial skills, her generosity, her brilliance in making non-dancers look great and great dancers look even better, as well as her incredible positive influence on the lives of many young people. She had a special talent for ensuring that everyone knew that they were extraordinary and that they mattered to her.
A joyful memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 218 West Ottawa in Lansing, Michigan, on Saturday, September16 at 11:00 am to celebrate her life. The family encourages those attending to share a fun story or anecdote about their interaction with Theda. The family requests that for those wishing to honor her and instead of flowers, donations be made to the Theda Assiff-MacGriff Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Dance, which will be administered by the non-profit arts organization, Lansing Matinee Musicale. To contribute to the fund, please mail a check marked “Theda Assiff Scholarship” to Mary Adkins, Treasurer, Lansing Matinee Musicale, 6405 Old River Trail, Lansing, MI 48917 or through PayPal to: [email protected].
DONATIONS
Theda Assiff-MacGriff Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Dance6405 Old River Trail, Lansing, Michigan 48917
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