The American Negro Ballet Company was formed in 1934 under the auspices of
Eugene Von Grona, a German immigrant. Originally composed of thirty African-American jazz dancers, the company focused on serious modern dance.
Lavinia Williams and
Al Bledger were lead dancers.
[Gay Morris, ''Moving Words: Re-writing Dance'', Psychology Press, 1996, p. 111]
Google Books
Retrieved July 4, 2011.
Debut
The poorly reviewed debut performance on November 21, 1937, was conducted by
Dean Dixon. It was held at the
Lafayette Theatre in
Harlem, New York
Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and Central Park North on the south. The greater Harl ...
, US.
Von Grona was the main choreographer for pieces by
Igor Stravinsky,
Duke Ellington and
W. C. Handy
William Christopher Handy (November 16, 1873 – March 28, 1958) was an American composer and musician who referred to himself as the Father of the Blues. Handy was one of the most influential songwriters in the United States. One of many musici ...
, among others.
Failure and reformation
The company only lasted five months, until 1938. In 1939, the company was renamed "Von Grona's American Swing Ballet."
References
1934 establishments in New York City
1938 disestablishments in New York (state)
African-American dance
Ballet companies in the United States
Dance companies in New York City
Performing groups established in 1934
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