American Negro Ballet Company Explained

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.^[1]

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, US.^[2] Von Grona was the main choreographer for pieces by Igor Stravinsky, Duke Ellington and W. C. Handy, 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."

Notes and References

1. Gay Morris, Moving Words: Re-writing Dance, Psychology Press, 1996, p. 111. Google Books. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
2. News: Martin. John. NEGRO BALLET HAS DEBUT IN HARLEM: Company Directed by Eugene von Grona in a Program of His Compositions. The New York Times. November 22, 1937. 15. .