George Balanchine & Arthur Mitchell (An African American Dancer)
George Balanchine and Arhtur Mitchell
Mitchell shares interesting stories about Balanchine. (youtube) or whyPad de deux was so controversial (youtube)
Arthur Mitchell is an African-American dancer and choreographer who created a training school and the first African-American classical ballet company, Dance Theatre of Harlem.
In 1955 Mitchell made his debut as the first African American with the New York City Ballet
Mitchell was the only African-American dancer with the NY City Ballet until 1970. Choreographer and director of the NYCB George Balanchine created the pas de deux in Agon especially for Mitchell and the white ballerina Diana Adams. Although Mitchell danced this role with white partners throughout the world, he could not perform it on commercial television in the United States before 1965, because states in the South refused to carry it.
Slim dragon-fly
too rapid for the eye
to cage,contagious gem of virtuosity
make visible, mentality.
Your jewels of mobilityreveal
and veil
a peacock-tail.— by Marianne Moore
Other related links..
4 temperaments – Portraits of Paul Hindemith –
THe Unknown Balanchine.. (Balanchine’s early years)
George Balanchine was born on January 22 [O.S. January 9] 1904.