Dance Theatre of Harlem Relaunches and Announces Performance Schedule

This month marks the return of Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) to stages across the United Sates. With what's being described as "a carefully selected and diverse group of new dancers with awe-inspiring talent and promising careers, DTH is poised to reclaim its rightful place in the world of ballet."

The new company will embark on a multi-city tour starting in October, 2012 and leading up to the New York City season at Jazz at Lincoln Center in April, 2013. Audiences will enjoy such DTH favorites as resident choreographer Robert Garland’s Return, Christopher Huggins’ In The Mirror Of Her Mind, and Donald Byrd’s Contested Space, as well as works by Balanchine and world-premiere contemporary ballets, including Robert Garland’s latest work, Gloria, to music by Francis Poulenc. “I am grateful to be able to continue the work, artistry and traditions established by our founders Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook,” says Virginia Johnson, Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Artistic Director and a founding member. “The story that I hope Dance Theatre of Harlem will tell again is of the power of the arts totransform lives. We look forward to inspiring a new generation of dancers who are prepared to give our audiences—and this art form—everything they’ve got.”

The return of the DTH company comes after an eight-year hiatus that allowed for a systematic strengthening of the organization, including rebuilding the board of directors under the leadership of Chairman Kendrick F. Ashton, Jr, revitalized programs and increased fundraising capacity. In 2010, a consortium of major philanthropies, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and The Ford Foundation provided support for the renaissance ofthis historic organization, including the company’s return in Fall, 2012.

“We are grateful to all our donors—large and small—who value this organization’s unique role in the community and around world,” says Laveen Naidu, Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Executive Director. “From our school, community outreach and arts education programs, which provide dance training, character development as well as artistic awareness to young people, to presenting compelling repertoire—we look forward to a very exciting year.”

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