Popularization of Ballet in America Flashcards
John Durang
One of most important dancers during the 1700’s
Known for his hornpipe dance
4 Ballet Stars during the 1800’s
Mary Ann Lee
Julia Turnbull
Augusta Maywood–influenced musical theater
George Washington Smith (partnered with Essler on tour to America)
The Black Crook
First real musical ever made - 1866
Story about a pact with the devil
Very successful, toured
Local dancers were hired for chorus
Lack of American ballet companies in 1800’s because…
Ballet considered insubstantial by regular theatre goers
Ballet was considered a foreign art
No permanent companies–standards of ballet varied from city to city
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
The foreign rival to American ballet in the 1930’s
Founded in 1932
Presented old favorites from Diaghilev and new works by Massine
Made up of some Ballet Russe dancers plus 3 baby ballerinas
Factions split off from the company because 1. Neither founder had skills of Diaghilev 2. Fights over legal rights to the ballet
Companies after Ballet Russe
- Original Ballet Russe
-De Basil’s company - Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
-directed by Sergei Denham
-Massine choreographed for it
-did symphonic ballets
-loved by America
»>Both companies helped spread ballet in America
Lincoln Kirstein
The American “Diaghilev”
–novelist, poet, critic–NOT a dancer/choreographer
Wanted an American ballet company/school with American dancers/style
1933 persuaded Balanchine to direct
1934 School of American Ballet opened in Manhattan
Serenade
Piece inspired by Balanchine
Used dancers’ mistakes (a fall, late entrance)
1st season in 1935
On Your Toes
Balanchine piece, choreographed for Broadway
Stars & Stripes
Famous Balanchine piece in America
New York City Ballet
Founded in 1933 when Kirstein and Edward M Warburg persuaded Balanchine to come to America to direct
First season in 1935, under American Ballet
Repertoire was small but some inspired works by Balanchine
Struggled between being too foreign and not foreign enough
American Ballet Theatre
Founded in 1939 as Ballet Theatre–from the Mordkin Ballet
Est. to present the classics as well as new works by Mordkin in Russian style
1st director was Richard Pleasant
1980 Mikhail Baryshnikov took over as director
Richard Pleasant
The first director of American Ballet Theatre
»wanted the company to be a “museum of dance” with many ex. of periods and styles
In 1945, went active in WWII
Lucia Chase
Became co-director after Pleasant left ABT
|»_space;did the financial side
Oliver Smith
Became co-director after Pleasant left ABT
|»_space;did the set designs