De Mille Choreographer, Essay Example

Major Choreographer: Agnes de Mille (1905-1993)

Choreographer Agnes de Mille’s life and career spanned almost all of the 20^th century. Featured examples of her work include Paint Your Wagon, Carousel, and Brigadoon (all for theatre); Pavane from Romeo and Juliet and Oklahoma (both for film); Rodeo, Fall River Legend, and A Rose for Miss Emily (all for ballet); and, Lizzie Borden and Bitter Weird (both for television).

Her work in American theatre and ballet was innovative, breaking longstanding taboos. For example, in 1940 she choreographed the ballet Black Ritual, the first serious ballet to use Black dancers. Through appointments from Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, de Mille served as an influential proponent of the arts through boards such as the National Advisory Committee on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. As a one-time President of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, she was the only woman head of a labor union in United States (Couture).

Her career began in the aftermath of World War I. It work matured in the era of World War II. Her creative leadership continued well into the Vietnam era before she survived a debilitating stroke. On three occasions, she addressed the United States Congress. She received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor from President Carter. She was the recipient of numerous honorary degrees, two Tony Awards, and one Emmy. De Mille’s work as choreographer forever transformed musical theatre.

Work Cited

Couture. J. (2002). “Agnes de Mille’s Biography.” Agnes de Mille Dances Retrieved May 09, 2010 from http://www.agnesdemilledances.com/index.html