2 3 Throwback Thursday and Agnes De Mille | Ballet Webb

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Throwback Thursday and Agnes De Mille



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.”

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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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