Arthur Mitchell

Born in 1934, Arthur Mitchell studied in New York City and appeared on Broadway and with various companies at home and abroad. He joined the New York City Ballet in 1956, becoming a soloist in 1959. The first black principal dancer of a major company in history, he remained with the company for 20 years. His performance as Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1964) was especially acclaimed. He also performed with distinction in Western Symphony, Agon, Afternoon of a Faun, and Ebony Concerto.

In the summer of 1968, Arthur Mitchell founded the Dance Theatre of Harlem in New York City, in order to provide classical academic training to black students. The company began as a school for 30 students and classes were conducted with the doors open so that passersby could watch the students at the barre; at the end of that summer the school had 400 students. To encourage them to become professional performers as soon as possible, Mitchell began taking his students on lecture-demonstration tours in 1969, and by 1970 had a professional company of 20 ready for their debut at the 1971 festival at Spoleto, Italy.

After two European tours and three national tours, the company had its successful first full season in New York City in 1974. It is noted for graceful and vigorous performances of works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Mitchell. The school was given a permanent home by Alva Gimbel in 1971. In 1981, it was the first black ballet company to have a season at Covent Garden in London. Its dancers have included Stephanie Baxter, Virginia Johnson, Eddie Shellman, Mel Tomlinson, and Donald Williams.

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