Dance Theater of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey Company were two of the most exciting companies around when I was growing up in the 60' and 70's. Arthur Mitchell's inspiration and energy made his dream a reality and opened the doors for black dancers and paved the way for the dancer's we see now.
I saw this Company in the late 1990s when they were touring Arizona. They were so amazing. Earlier one of the traditional white ballet companies came through and the dancers all look so thin and emaciated. These dancers all looked like track stars.. So athletic! Such energy!
I had the pleasure of seeing Dance Theatre of Harlem in Houston in 2014. I've watched ballet and dance since I was small and the performance done by this particular company was the most phenomenal I've ever seen. I was tearful throughout. I was certainly engaged. And it absolutely changed me. I'm so glad the company is sustaining it's legacy. As long as it's around, I will seek to be in the audience.
I'm in Tears watching this video. Dancers can save the world! Not for the sake of ego but in the name of adding beauty light and color to the world. Thank you Dance Theater of Harlem.
l first saw the ballet company of Harlem on the entertainment channel when I subscribed to the then cable TV so that must have been about 1986/7, I was entranced, coming from a poor family all they could afford to do was buy me a pair of ballet shoes my mother must have scraped for months. and months. It was their own written story and before you knew it I was on the edge of my seat, it was a sad ending and I cried like a baby! I swore then I would one day see this company. It may've taken me almost 20 years but I got to see them at Sandler's Wells theatre with my son. I felt so proud to finally see them! Thank you to all of those of colour that never gave up you gave me a little bit of my heart back that I'd lost along the way, and my smile is more full, your courage inspires me to fight the adversity I've inherited from birth. Again, thank you!
I grew up attending Dance Theatre of Harlem tour concerts and Afro-centric Broadway musicals with my family, these institutions were always a crucial part of our cultural identity and artistic asthetic as black Americans. It pains me to see that in contemporary times, when we speak of African American "dancers" in American pop culture, it most always refers to sex workers. It leaves me entirely confused as to how we've not been able to sustain our presence in fine arts...but then, to hear Ms. Johnson speak of the somewhat forced absence of our most prized dance influences and cultural institutions over time...if we cannot see ourselves elevated in sublime form in the arts, how should our children know the art, power, and beauty that they are capable of bringing forth in their creativity? I had the honor of seeing Ms. Johnson perform during her tenure within this company, and her performances have inspired me my whole life through. Dancers can indeed change and save the world, one child at a time.
Is that Michaela Prince at 0:35? She has a phenomenal story. Whoever that dancer is, she is fantastic to watch. Kudos to Arthur Mitchell for his work in starting the Dance Theatre of Harlem. They are the other globetrotters of Harlem. Those talented folk have been invited to dance all over the world--except Greenland. One of their former dancers told me they were part of the festivities surrounding the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. I wish Diana had pirouetted her way onto the plane with them; she might have been happier.
Is that Michaela Prince at 0:35? She has a phenomenal story. Whoever that dancer is, she is fantastic to watch. Kudos to Arthur Mitchell for his work in starting the Dance Theatre of Harlem. They are the other globetrotters of Harlem. Those talented folk have been invited to dance all over the world--except Greenland. One of their former dancers told me they were part of the festivities surrounding the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. I wish Diana had pirouetted her way onto the plane with them; she might have been happier.
Yes, that is Michaela. Her backstory was a little too painful to go into depth. She left Dance Theater of Harlem to go to. I believe it was the Dutch National Ballet. For a while she was doing a video blog while she was on tour. You might be able to find that on UA-cam but I'm very happy that you enjoyed the story.
@@CaptainVideo13 Hello. Thank you for your response. I did enjoy the story and watched the graceful dancers troupe multiple times. They were beautifully gratifying to watch! Whenever Arthur Mitchell or DTH was on tv, that was "Everybody sit down, be quiet and look at these proud people" time.
What a fantastic institution! May Arthur Mitchell, founding director of Dance Theater of Harlem, rest in peace. His legacy continues.
Dance Theater of Harlem and the Alvin Ailey Company were two of the most exciting companies around when I was growing up in the 60' and 70's. Arthur Mitchell's inspiration and energy made his dream a reality and opened the doors for black dancers and paved the way for the dancer's we see now.
I saw this Company in the late 1990s when they were touring Arizona. They were so amazing. Earlier one of the traditional white ballet companies came through and the dancers all look so thin and emaciated. These dancers all looked like track stars.. So athletic! Such energy!
I could listen to that woman's voice for hours. What beautiful speech.
I had the pleasure of seeing Dance Theatre of Harlem in Houston in 2014. I've watched ballet and dance since I was small and the performance done by this particular company was the most phenomenal I've ever seen. I was tearful throughout. I was certainly engaged. And it absolutely changed me. I'm so glad the company is sustaining it's legacy. As long as it's around, I will seek to be in the audience.
I'm in Tears watching this video. Dancers can save the world! Not for the sake of ego but in the name of adding beauty light and color to the world. Thank you Dance Theater of Harlem.
l first saw the ballet company of Harlem on the entertainment channel when I subscribed to the then cable TV so that must have been about 1986/7, I was entranced, coming from a poor family all they could afford to do was buy me a pair of ballet shoes my mother must have scraped for months. and months. It was their own written story and before you knew it I was on the edge of my seat, it was a sad ending and I cried like a baby! I swore then I would one day see this company. It may've taken me almost 20 years but I got to see them at Sandler's Wells theatre with my son. I felt so proud to finally see them! Thank you to all of those of colour that never gave up you gave me a little bit of my heart back that I'd lost along the way, and my smile is more full, your courage inspires me to fight the adversity I've inherited from birth. Again, thank you!
This is where Nia Frazier from Dance Moms will be training for the summer and I am so excited for her. I'm sure she'll learn a lot.
OMG MICHAELA DEPRINCE!!❤️❤️
Michael is a soloist at HET Ballet in the Netherlands. She has great Vlogs on youtube. Check them out!
Bob Morris I knew that she now dances at the Dutch National Ballet but I had no idea she vlogs! Thanks for letting me know!
When they showed the Pointe magazine I saw Misa Kuranaga of Boston Ballet! I go to the school there and Misa is AMAZING!!😁❤️👏🏼
I am not a person of colour but i find this video very important and inspiring. For everyone.
we are all people of colour. if black or brown, yellow, red are colours then white/peach/pink are too
This video is great! I studied at the Dance Theater of Harlem as a kid.
Dear Virginia. You are and always will be The United States of America precious jewel. Thanks dear
I grew up attending Dance Theatre of Harlem tour concerts and Afro-centric Broadway musicals with my family, these institutions were always a crucial part of our cultural identity and artistic asthetic as black Americans. It pains me to see that in contemporary times, when we speak of African American "dancers" in American pop culture, it most always refers to sex workers. It leaves me entirely confused as to how we've not been able to sustain our presence in fine arts...but then, to hear Ms. Johnson speak of the somewhat forced absence of our most prized dance influences and cultural institutions over time...if we cannot see ourselves elevated in sublime form in the arts, how should our children know the art, power, and beauty that they are capable of bringing forth in their creativity? I had the honor of seeing Ms. Johnson perform during her tenure within this company, and her performances have inspired me my whole life through. Dancers can indeed change and save the world, one child at a time.
Inspiring.
Is that Michaela Prince at 0:35? She has a phenomenal story. Whoever that dancer is, she is fantastic to watch. Kudos to Arthur Mitchell for his work in starting the Dance Theatre of Harlem. They are the other globetrotters of Harlem. Those talented folk have been invited to dance all over the world--except Greenland. One of their former dancers told me they were part of the festivities surrounding the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. I wish Diana had pirouetted her way onto the plane with them; she might have been happier.
they should do more shows at the Apollo
진짜진짜 쩐다아......'
She started Pointe magazine? Wow!
+le sigh She didn't start it herself, but was involved from very early with it.
I go to the dance theater of harlem
Ciaoo Virginia, I'm excited to hear you talk . Un abbraccio
😂😙💎💖
0ਏ h0 .05n
they should do more shows at the Apollo
Is that Michaela Prince at 0:35? She has a phenomenal story. Whoever that dancer is, she is fantastic to watch. Kudos to Arthur Mitchell for his work in starting the Dance Theatre of Harlem. They are the other globetrotters of Harlem. Those talented folk have been invited to dance all over the world--except Greenland. One of their former dancers told me they were part of the festivities surrounding the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. I wish Diana had pirouetted her way onto the plane with them; she might have been happier.
Yes, that is Michaela. Her backstory was a little too painful to go into depth. She left Dance Theater of Harlem to go to. I believe it was the Dutch National Ballet. For a while she was doing a video blog while she was on tour. You might be able to find that on UA-cam but I'm very happy that you enjoyed the story.
@@CaptainVideo13 Hello. Thank you for your response. I did enjoy the story and watched the graceful dancers troupe multiple times. They were beautifully gratifying to watch! Whenever Arthur Mitchell or DTH was on tv, that was "Everybody sit down, be quiet and look at these proud people" time.