Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Firebird—with choreography by John Taras, costumes and scenery by Geoffrey Holder, and a cast of more than 40 dancers—caused a sensation when it premiered in January 1982. New York Times critic Anna Kisselgoff declared the fantastical production, which relocated the Russian folktale to an enchanted forest somewhere in the Caribbean, an […]

Dance Magazine has been both a resource for and a reflection of the dance community since publishing its first issue (then titled The American Dancer) in 1927. As the magazine’s centennial approaches, we’ll be examining how the publication grew and changed over each decade, highlighting some of our most memorable covers. Up first, a look at a period of exponential growth in the dance world, and the world at large: the 1970s.

As they prepared for the leadership transition, Virginia Johnson and Robert Garland spoke about their deep, shared history with Dance Theatre of Harlem, their commitment to continuing the work of Arthur Mitchell, and their hopes for the future of DTH’s company and school. 

Tai Jimenez spent 12 years as a principal dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem. She has been chosen to lead the DTH School when its current director, Robert Garland, becomes the company’s artistic director.

When Robert Garland becomes artistic director of Dance Theatre of Harlem on July 1, he follows in the footsteps of founder Arthur Mitchell and retiring artistic director Virginia Johnson. He’s stepping into an important role: In addition to being a leading classical company that’s toured worldwide, DTH has had a significant impact on the field of dance and the larger American cultural landscape.

Arthur Mitchell was my mentor. He was the miracle who crossed my path and introduced me to the world of professional ballet.

When Mel Tomlinson made his New York City Ballet debut in November 1981, the then-27-year-old was already a well-known figure to New York audiences. He appeared with Dance Theatre of Harlem beginning in 1974 and, other than a two-year break to join Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, remained an electric presence there until his surprise […]

Last Wednesday, Dance Theatre of Harlem co-founder and ballet pioneer Arthur Mitchell died. He was 84 years old and, though vibrant and tenacious as ever, this past year the toll that illness and age were taking on him was visible. In October when he hosted “An Informal Performance on the Art of Dance” to celebrate the donation of […]