Dance Theatre of Harlem is the world’s first Black Classical Ballet company.
Dance Theatre of Harlem
Dance Theatre of Harlem is a Contemporary Ballet company with a touring company and a ballet school that does a lot of educational outreach.
The Company was founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook. Mitchell was the first Black male dancer in the New York City Ballet. George Balanchine was a padrino (godfather). After many respected years of performing around the world, Dance Theatre fell on hard times and stopped performing for almost a decade, although the school carried on.
The performing Company was reborn in 2013. In 2017 New York Times dance critic Brian Seibert wrote, “this beloved company has found its footing…It’s a Ballet company, and a good one again.”
Today Dance Theatre of Harlem is led by Ballet Masters Keith Saunders and Kellye Saunders. Robert Garland is Resident Choreographer. His Return (1999) is one of the Company’s most popular choreographies. All three leaders worked most of their careers as Dance Theatre of Harlem dancers.
Of course, American Latin is Black and Dance Theatre of Harlem has some amazing Latin dancers.
- Dylan Santos is from São Paulo, Brazil
- Ingrid Silva is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Alison Stroming is from Recife, Brazil
- Jorge Andrés Villarini is from San Juan, Puerto Rico
Brazilian dancer Ingrid Silva. Courtesy of Rachel Neville / Dance Theatre of Harlem.
The Company will match you in Ballet, Grand Jeté to Grand Jeté, but has an extra spark. African spirit with Classical technique is electric.
They tell the stories of who we were, who we are, and who we can be.
Michelle Obama
Dance Theatre of Harlem School
The Dance Theatre of Harlem School offers programs for children 3-7 years old, 8-12 years old, and 13 years and up.
Dance Theatre of Harlem
466 West 152nd St, New York, NY 10031
(between Amsterdam and St. Nicholas Avenues)
Sugar Hill, Harlem, Manhattan
(212) 690-2800
Dance Theatre of Harlem at New York City Center
Dance Theatre of Harlem is on the New York City Center Mainstage, Wednesday – Saturday, April 4 – 7, 2018. From $35
The main program features guest artists and live music in:
- Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Harlem on My Mind (New York Premiere)
- George Balanchine’s Valse-Fantaisie
- Christopher Wheeldon’s This Bitter Earth
- Geoffrey Holder’s masterwork Dougla
The Vision Gala program on Wednesday, April 4 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and reflects on his legacy. The founding of Dance Theatre of Harlem was a reaction to that tragic event. Still I rise!
The Vision Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony follows the April 4 performance. It honors civil rights icon Xernona Clayton and artist Carmen de Lavallade. Get tickets or call (212) 889-4694. $1,500 – $5,000
Dance Theatre of Harlem Tickets
From $35
Box Office
Daily: 12 noon – 8 pm (7:30 pm Sundays)
Phone
CityTix® (212) 581-1212
Daily: 12 noon – 8 pm (7:30 pm Sundays)
Online
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