Dance Theatre of Harlem—The Other Tour

November 28, 2001

Forty-plus years of history mixed together in one traveling exhibition—can it really be done? Dance Theater of Harlem took on the task, and is now touring Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40 Years of Firsts around the country for fans to enjoy.

 

Founded in 1969, Dance Theater of Harlem disproved the idea that dancers of African descent could not perform ballet. Since then, the company has grown into a multi-racial institution that has performed in 41 states and 40 countries on six continents. 

 

With over 100 objects taking up about 4,000 square feet, the exhibit includes costumes with set pieces, historical video excerpts, photographs, banners and tour posters from the last 40 years. The historical video excerpts, A Streetcar Named Desire, Creole Giselle, Dougla and Firebird, shed light on ballets that have been iconic to the company.

 

Dance Theater of Harlem: 40 Years of Firsts
opened at the University Museum at Texas Southern University in January. Its next stop will be the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in Pittsburgh, PA from September 27, 2013 to January 3, 2014 followed by the Irving Arts Center in Irving, TX from January 18, 2014 to March 16, 2014, with future stops planned through December 2015. Stay connected to Dance Theater of Harlem to know when the exhibit is in your area.