The Dance Theatre of Harlem
was founded by Arthur Mitchell, a legend in the dance world.
Known as an accomplished artistic
director, astute educator, talented
choreographer, and extraordinary
dancer, Mitchell was born in New
York City in 1934. He began his
dance training at New York City’s
High School of the Performing
Arts, where he was the first male
student to win the coveted Annual Dance Award. Mitchell continued his classical training when
he received a full scholarship to
the School of American Ballet. In
1955, he was the first African-
American male to become a permanent member of a major ballet
company when he joined the New
York City Ballet. Upon learning of
the death of the Rev. Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. in 1968, Mitchell
was inspired to provide children
- especially those living in Harlem- with the opportunity to study
dance. During the summer of
1968, he began teaching classes
in a remodeled garage. In 1969,
with financial assistance from Mrs.
Alva B. Gimbel, the Ford Foundation and his own savings, Mitchell
founded Dance Theatre of Harlem
with his mentor and ballet instruc-
Excerpts From “past-Carry-forward”
New Jersey Stage
December 2014
pg 82