Throwback Thursday and Agnes de Mille
Agnes de Mille was born in Manhattan, but when she was young
her father took the family and followed his brother, the famous Cecil B. de
Mille, to California. When her parents
divorced, her mother returned with Agnes and her sister to New York. Thus began Agnes’ search for employment in
the theater.
She had little success until years later. She was hired to choreograph for the film, Romeo and Juliet, and this was followed
in 1940 when Ballet Theatre (now ABT) was formed and she created her first
ballet, Black Ritual. It was danced entirely by black dancers, the
first time this had been done by a serious ballet company. She followed it by choreographing the
popular Three Virgins and a Devil.
But Agnes de Mille is best known for works that have an
American western style, beginning with the ballet Rodeo, in which she herself danced the lead. She also choreographed for the musicals Oklahoma, Brigadoon and Carousel.
In 1975 she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, but she
recovered and went on to write about her brush with death in Reprieve. She is the author of several other books
including To a Young Dancer, and Speak to Me Dance with Me.
Agnes de Mille died on October 7, 1993, leaving a rich
legacy for dancers today.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Secret #33:
“Agnes de Mille was a
prolific choreographer and writer.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“It is up to us to live up to the legacy
that was left for us, and to leave a legacy that is worthy of our children and
of future generations.”
-Christine Gregoire
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