Dance Theatre of Harlem

By: Paul Novosel, Judy Tyrus

Narrated by: Dion Graham, Robin Miles

From its modest beginnings in the 1960s in a Harlem church basement, to its meteoric rise to international fame, the Dance Theatre of Harlem ignited the world with one simple, still-revolutionary statement: All can do ballet. Into the 21st century, as the world, and the country, continue their historical struggles and triumphs, the story of this haven for dancers of all colors and backgrounds resonates more than ever. Here, for the first time, is the definitive portrait of the one-of-a-kind dance company that reflected—and shaped—our times, and whose enduring principle continues to inspire the future.

With exclusive backstage stories from its legendary dancers and staff, and unprecedented access to its archives, Dance Theatre of Harlem is a striking chronicle of the company’s amazing history, its fascinating daily workings, and the visionaries who made its legacy.

Here you’ll discover how the company’s founders—African-American dancer Arthur Mitchell of George Balanchine’s New York City Ballet, and Euro-American Karel Shook of The Dutch National Ballet—teamed up to challenge Eurocentric mainstream ballet head-on using new techniques to examine ongoing issues of power, beauty, myth, and the everchanging definition of art itself.

Gaining prominence in the 1970s and 80s with a succession of triumphs—including its spectacular season at the Metropolitan Opera House—the company also gained fans and supporters that included Nelson Mandela, Stevie Wonder, Cicely Tyson, Misty Copeland, Jessye Norman, and six American presidents.

Dance Theatre of Harlem details this momentous era as well as the company’s difficult years, its impressive recovery as it partnered with new media’s most brilliant creators—and, in the wake of its 50th anniversary, amid a global pandemic, its evolution into a worldwide virtual performance space.

This incomparable book is a must-have for any lover of dance, art, or history.

©2021 ChromaDiverse, Inc. (P)2022 Recorded Books

To Maintain Balance, Keep Moving Forward

Dance Theatre of Harlem: A History, a Movement, a Celebration is filled with great information. The story is an important one and I am grateful to the author and her associates for creating this book. However, it felt as though I was missing the humor and humanity of the story. The book is very academic, almost textbook style. I remain curious as to what the relationships were like. Did the dancers and directors ever spend time together away from work, and if so, did they have fun or was it strictly business all of the time? I would recommend this book to anyone who is serious about dance and about dance history. The narration performances by Dion Graham and Robin Miles are adequate to the task. They both have a tinge of haughtiness in their delivery which is appropriate to support the material.