Dance Theatre of Harlem

America's most treasured performing organizations whose artistry inspires and ignites the minds of people around the world, Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) returns to Northrop stage for the first time since 1994. DTH's renowned artistic director Arthur Mitchell, once a featured principal dancer in George Balanchine's New York City Ballet who has now played a pivotal role in dance for more than five decades, is choosing favorites from the company's classically-oriented repertoire of 124 works for the occasion. The distinctive identity of this 35-member ensemble is rooted in effervescent kinetic energy.

About the Company

Shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Arthur Mitchell founded Dance Theatre of Harlem with his teacher/mentor, the late Karel Shook. Mitchell, who had made history in 1955 when he was selected as the first African-American to dance with a major ballet, was compelled to start a dance school in 1969 that would give children, especially the economically disadvantaged, the life-enriching experience of dance and the allied arts. The school launched dancers for DTH, which has grown into a multi-cultural ballet institution with an extraordinary history as a living testament to the work of Dr. King. DTH has given command performances for European royalty, been inducted into the prestigious Kirov Museum in the former Soviet Union, and traveled to South Africa for an unprecedented six-week tour before the end of Apartheid. Offering dance training to more than 1,000 young people annually, DTH is at home in New York's newly-designated landmark district in Harlem.

Critic's Comments

"The company virtually plunges into the choreography with splendid flourish."
-The New York Times

"Quite simply, the whole evening was a triumph...you should move heaven and earth to see this magnificent, inspiring company."
-The Manchester Evening News (England)

Evening's Program

South African Suite - choreography: Arthur Mitchell, Augustus Van Heerden and Laveen Naidu with music by the Soweto String Quartet

The Prodigal Son - choreography by George Balanchine with music by Prokofiev.

- A 20th century masterpiece, based on the New Testament parable.

The Firebird - choreography by John Taras with music by Stravinsky.

- Based on a Russian folk tale, DTH's signature work with brilliant theatrical effects.

Performances at Northrop

1981, 1983, 1985, 1994 and 2004