Janet Collins (March 7, 1917 – May 28, 2003) was a ballet dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She performed on Broadway, in films, and appeared frequently on television. She was among the pioneers of black ballet dancing, one of the few classically trained Black dancers of her generation. Collins was 10 when she started taking private lessons at a Catholic Community Center. … [Read more...] about Friday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers
History
Thursday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers
Raven Wilkinson (born November 2, 1935) is an American dancer who is credited with being the first African-American woman to dance for a major classical ballet company. Wilkinson broke the color barrier in 1955 when she signed a contract to dance full-time with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. She was promoted to soloist during her second season with the troupe, and remained … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers
Wednesday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers
Mel Alexander Tomlinson (born January 3, 1954) is an American dancer and choreographer. At the time of his debut with the New York City Ballet in 1981, he was the only African-American dancer in the company. Ballet choreographer Agnes de Mille referred to Tomlinson as "the most exciting black dancer in America." … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers
Tuesday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers
Nora Koito Kimball-Mentzos or simply Nora Kimball is a ballet teacher and former American ballerina, who is often overlooked for being one of the first African American female soloists—the second -- [at American Ballet Theatre (ABT). She danced with the ABT in the mid 1980's and as an African American who is also Asian American,preceded Misty Copeland, who is often credited as … [Read more...] about Tuesday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers
Monday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers
Debra Austin (born July 25, 1955) is an American ballet dancer who rose to prominence in 1982 as the first African-American female principal dancer of a major American ballet company. She was also the first African-American female dancer at the New York City Ballet. She currently serves as the ballet mistress for the Carolina Ballet. … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: African-American Ballet Dancers