Mr. Mitchell also taught ballet at studios, including the Katherine Dunham School in New York and the Jones-Heywood School of Ballet in Washington, both important centers for black dancers. At Jones-Heywood, the dance critic Jean Battey wrote in The Washington Post, Mr. Mitchell “goes at the boys like a tough drill sergeant.”
This historic Jones-Haywood Dance School, located in Washington, DC is misspelled.
What a tremendous loss to the world ballet in dance. My daughter benefited from Mr. Mitchell's incredible insight and instruction while attending the Dance Theater of Harlem Pre-professional Residency Program at the Kennedy Center and as s student at Jones-Haywood Dance School. We will miss this innovator and artistic genius. He gave so much to young African American dancers like my daughter, Cydney Hill, who is studying Dance Choreography at VCU and recently worked the past two summers in the DTH Summer Intensive program. She is devastated yet is so appreciative to have had the honor to learn from one of our great legendary African American dancers.
We love you Mr. Mitchell!
9
It is with deepening grief that I read of Arthur Mitchell's death. We were classmates at The School of American Ballet and even at that early time, his dancing was inspirational. The degree of his beauty and humanity will not be surpassed in our lifetime.
25
Just standing in the lobby by Mr. Mitchell when DTH came to town was as powerful an experience as I suspect anyone could imagine. As his attributes as a human, as a dancer & a teacher are expressed in these comments, his mere being "lived" those accolades and were profoundly received by me.
12
i traveled from white plains to harlem after school in the 1970s to take classes at DTH when it was in the basement of the church of the master. what an experience! i remember being intimidated and inspired by all the beautiful black dancers.
RIP, mr. mitchell.
14
I am heartbroken!
Death comes to all in due time yet,
Arthur Mitchell was my inspiration when I was a young wanna-be dancer in Ohio.
Looking at him I saw the dark chocolate skin which looked like mine, which gave me more fuel that was needed... ”dance wood” for my fired up the goal of “I am going to be a professional dancer one day!”
Every article or photo I could find of Mr. Mitchell gave me such dance joy that I cannot put into adequate words in the space allowed here.
He was revered and celebrated during an era where there were few other ’mass acknowledged’ dancers of color, brilliant dancers in their own right.
But, he was the chosen one to jetè into the dance world with his talent that opened the ballet doors for so many of us folks of color who came after him.
Dance Theater of Harlem, Arthur Mitchell was DTH’S ”black BALLET dancers baby daddy” if you will, paving the way with his dancing gifts for so many that have come after. BROADWAY dancing snatched me up, but ballet was always my foundation that
Mr. Arthur Mitchell so inspired in me.
Just maybe, when my time is up on this plane, I will finally get to dance alongside The Arthur Mitchell! DIP! DANCE In Peace, Sir!
Ronald Dennis
15
As I read somewhere in the late 80s, Dance Theatre of Harlem astounded and delighted its Russian audiences.
Uniquely for a foreign company, it received the highest of Russian accolades for the élan of its dancing: dusha [doo-SHAH]. The word means "soul" and conveys the same quality of emotional depth as it does in Black culture.
13
Such sad news....Mr Mitchell was a truly great artist....I will never get over seeing him for the first time...his legacy is an incredible treasure chest including the DTH....sad news.....dance on Mr Mitchell dance on & on.... you will be missed.
8
I first saw Mr. Mitchell dance when I was about 10 when he danced with NYCB [my mom loved ballet, my dad not at all, so I got to accompany her]. He was a trailblazer, a revelation - so charismatic, such a beautiful dancer. He ignited a love for ballet which has never left me, lo these 60+ years later. Thank you.
14
A small correction: Arthur Mitchell is survived by a host of nieces and nephews, as well as legions of dancers, choreographers, musicians, designers, administrators, and a worldwide ticket buying public whose lives he changed immeasurably with the tenacity of his vision - a vision that changed the art form of ballet now and forever. He was a titan. We speak his name. We carry on his legacy.
32
I booked the Dance Theatre of Harlem into an arts center I once administered, under the spectacular NEA dance touring program. The provisions of that program included a requirement that any company supported by it must perform at east one "service" in addition to its standard performances. I asked the company to give a performance geared to introduce ballet to schoolchildren.
Since my center was in a rural part of the country, all the children who came were "white" and very few had ever seen ballet performed. A bizarre thought suddenly struck me: many of them must have decided that you had to be "black" to be a ballet dancer.
13
Arthur Mitchell was born to dance: he used every bit of his talent to the fullest, and everyone who loves dance is richer for his having been on this earth. He leaves behind a glorious and massive legacy.
I remember his Creole "Giselle" - what a spectacularly effective setting of that ballet; it had a huge emotional impact on me, far more than any other "Giselle" production I've seen before or since.
He was an amazing man, rich in many kinds of talents. In addition to his brilliant career on stage - which in itself would have been enough! - he gave back to make sure others who had talent got their chance as well. His was a life well-lived - and an shining example of talent, intelligence and energy brilliantly deployed!
Bravo and RIP, Mr. Mitchell, and may flights of angels *dance* thee to thy rest.
27
I saw Mr.Mitchell in NYC during Dance Theatre of Harlem's opening night. Judith Jameson, Cicely Tyson and many of America's black elite were in the audience. It was a magical night. Black, brown, caramel, beautiful earth tones and bodies moving in sync to classical and modern dance. Each year, his performers and choreography were blissful and moving. He was a giant among men and his own dancing with Balanchine's City Ballet was inspiring. Rest In Peace. Your work lives on in the dancers you made a place for in the world.
15
My future wife, a dance fanatic, hoped she could get me interested in her passion so she took me to to BAM to see Firebird. It worked. My wife has since passed but my love of dance lives on and a photo from that Firebird hangs on my wall. Thank you, Arthur Mitchell, for that production and for all of the joy you brought us over the years.
26
While working at DTH, I watched Mr. Mitchell, teach a class of 9 year olds. With no music, just the rhythm of his tapping foot and passionate voice he transformed them into sleek jazz artists alive and one with 1940’s rhythm.
Magical.
25
Sad to learn of the passing of Arthur Mitchell, a courageous breaker of racial and other barriers as an African-American male ballet dancer. He was that, of course, but much more and I hope he will be remembered too as the founding director of the Dance Theater of Harlem. He was a superb choreographer, brilliant teacher and a man of great social conscience for all people. I had the great good fortune to work with Arthur a fair amount in the 1980s. He was one of the most inspiring persons I have ever known in that he was smart and pragmatic and had a huge and generous heart. This combination of heart, mind, ethics and determination made him incandescent, much like the Firebird, his company's most famous ballet set to a score by Stravinsky. I learned so much from Arthur and will miss him.
15
The most amazing and moving dance I have ever seen was a performance by the Dance Theater of Harlem. 35 years later, I still remember it. I am very grateful to Mr. Mitchell and all the dancers.
12
On my very first trip, at age 19 (and a young dancer myself) to New York City, I saw the mighty Dance Theatre of Harlem...I had little money and so could only go to see one performance, and that's what I chose. Aside from loving the fact that, in that audience, I was in the minority for once (I'm white), the performance was simply thrilling. More than three decades later and I still remember that scintillating performance. Mr. Mitchell and his company are giant monuments in our field. I am so melancholy at his passing; part of this is that I am sorry that our field has moved forward so little in terms of diversity. We must do more than do better. We must truly commit to evolving our schools and companies so that they reflect our beautifully diverse world. Not just lip service — action. No more "tokens" — equality. Meaningful representation.
67
Love and Thank you Arthur Mitchell for creating a professional company for ballerinas like me to thrive and to do what we love to do. I am grateful. Rest in Power and Peace. Karlya Shelton-Benjamin. DTH Ballerina 1975-1983
41
Fabulous obituary. George Balanchine was not afraid to bring minority dancers into his troupes. I believe Marie Tallchief was still dancing for Balanchine during the time Mitchell was in the troupe.
Mitchell, obviously, brought a flare and distinctive performance to classical as well as modern dance.
32
Love and Thank you Arthur Mitchell for creating a professional company for ballerinas like me to thrive and to do what we love to do. I am grateful. Rest in Power and Peace. Karlya Shelton-Benjamin. DTH Ballerina 1975-1983
21
A genius and magnificent human being. A wonderful rebuttal to bigotry of any kind.
35
may his memory be a blessing.
32
I saw DTH in the 70's. They were smashing. Their pas-de-trois of Adam, Eve, and the Serpent, where the Serpent enters from above, hanging from a rope by his foot, is the most striking dance image I've seen, and still gives me the shivers.
26
This man already deserves a Presidential Medal Of Freedom... but not from Trump.
35
What a great idea. Trump cares nothing for the arts or for people of color. Let the next decent American President award a posthumous Medal of Freedom to the towering Mr. Mitchell.
14
The death of a great dancer and a great American.
Debra Levine
dance critic
Los Angeles
29
Mr. Mitchell deserves to be mourned and celebrated as the great dancer, teacher, and leader that he was. Another enormous loss for America, but Mitchell's considerable legacy lives on. Thank you, from a grateful nation.
41
I saw Mitchell dance many times -- at the premiere of AGON, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, and others. He was a wonderful dancer. Also saw the premiere of his A CREOLE GISELLE that he created for THE DANCE THEATER OF HARLEM.
No doubt Suzanne Farrell will be especially sad to learn of his passing.
19
I had the pleasure of working with Arthur during my time with the New York City Ballet in the Balanchine era.
Arthur was a true disciplinarian. Working with him one had to be exact. He was the consummate performer and he always lit up the stage. As hard working as he was rehearsals were always fun because he had a great sense of humor, easing tensions and making the rehearsals fun.
He was larger than life and that is how I shall remember him.
55
A great loss to both the ballet world and the United States. I once watched him rehearse the Dance Theater of Harlem: he was precise in his instructions, gentlemanly in demeanor, and charismatic. May his company prosper and carry on his great legacy.
30
@C Smith
Your description of the three attributes Mr. Mitchell had as a teacher, are, sadly, going by the wayside in all areas of life, including the law, which once focused on civility, precision in its writing and instruction, and dedication to both precedent and the evolution of the law.
3
Arthur Mitchell’s legacy lives on! I love the performances by Dance Theatre of Harlem, so unique, so stunning. My daughter has also benefitted in so many ways from the school he founded. Ballet is better in all colors! Thank you and you will never be forgotten Arthur Mitchell!
20
@Clarissa.
Ballet is better in all colors. What a great sentiment. You could paraphrase that in a million ways. Perhaps most meaningful: America is better in all colors.
Thank you for this tribute to the great Arthur Mitchell, and via him, a great motto for America.
11
A magical magnificent dancer. Thank you, sir, for your courage and the beauty you gave us.
14
Arthur Mitchell was one of the finest human beings and one of the finest dancers to step on the world and ballet stages. He brought grace, dignity, and inspiration to all of us, but most of all to our young people.
Thank you, and may you rest in peace.
26
Mr. Mitchell brought his company to Austin and presented a dance class hours before the actual performance. He demonstrated just how ballet dancers should move and project. My kids were thrilled to see such a strict perfectionist get results from his company. The evening's performance was made so memorable thanks to his dedication to dance.
17
Truly a Premier Danseur Noble and a son of New York. May his soul rest in peace.
15
Sadly, only one comment here in the three hours after the story posted when there should be hundreds. I hope Mr. Mitchell gets the attention he deserves. By being "a first" he made it possible for other people of color to live their dream of by expressing themselves through dance. And, by creating Dance Theater of Harlem, he gave dancers the opportunity to live their dream professionally, inspiring other young dancers who otherwise would not have a place in the classical art world. Without Mr. Mitchell it's very likely we would not have celebrated Misty Copeland's achievements as a dancer.
RIP, Mr. Mitchell. You will be missed.
33
Years ago, Mr. Mitchell, accompanied by members of the Dance Theater of Harlem, came to my middle school. They thoughtfully demonstrated, through spoken word and dance, what commitment and effort can bring. Such beauty and elegance I had never seen before! Nearly fifty years on, I still remember them vividly. Still trying to live up to their example.
RIP Mr. Mitchell.
33
I remember well their performances (DTH) of Giselle, and ballets by Nijinska. Mitchell may have been the only protégé of Balanchine to acknowledge the other contemporary masters of choreography and present their missing work on the New York stages. While I wouldn't say the company was purely classical, and varied in quality, given their circumstances, they were outstanding!
5
Such a great man, such a teacher and inspiration. You gave so much and will live on in the hearts of the many. May you rest now in love and peace.
15
just an incredible dancer, educator, and human.
20
Arthur Mitchell, rest in peace. You were a titan of ballet and achieved so many great things, dancing for the greatest, most distinctive ballet company and choreographer in the world, and founding a great company of your own, the wonderful Dance Theater of Harlem. We will miss your beautiful smile, your big heart and large mind. I’m sure Mr. B. is giving you a warm welcome now in Heaven. Give him a big hug for me. Thank you for everything you gave us, Mr. Mitchell. We will miss you and remember you always.
26
I've walked in a few of his steps, having lived for a few wonderful years in his old Harlem neighborhood, but I never had the pleasure of meeting him. My loss. What an icon. He was living evidence of what heights a man or woman can achieve in the face of boulder-size obstacles.
15
RIP Mr. Mitchell, you were my first (ballet teacher), and you showed that little brown girl in 1973 - and the world - what was possible. Thank you.
48
Thank you, Mr. Mitchell for your contributions to the country and the black community. I had the pleasure of witnessing your greatest when The Dance Theatre of Harlem came to Philadelphia back in the 80s and I was in awe! RIP.
15
When I was about 8, I got to see Mr. Mitchell as Puck, alongside Edward Villella as Oberon. My mother was all about Oberon, but I was utterly enchanted by Puck, and talked about him all the way home.
29
I wish I'd had the chance to meet Mr. Mitchell. Such an amazing man...
17
We saw him several times. Truly one of the greats.
14
I so admire Arthur Mitchell and the wonderful Dance Theater of Harlem of which I am a great fan so sorry to hear of his death !!! As the daughter of a dancer and the wife of a classmate of Mr Mitchell in junior high we were always very happy to support his company, He was a great asset to the history of ballet !!!!!
25
Trailblazing indeed!
RIP Mr. Mitchell, and, above all, so many thanks for your incredibly valuable contributions to the wide world of dance and choreography. A good man. What a life.
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