The Harkness Ballet
Ariadne - Richard Wagner, Dennis Wayne, Finis Jhung, Marjorie Tallchief
(1964-1975) Rebekah Harkness founded the Harkness Ballet in 1964 with a roster of 40 dancers. Over its almost dozen years, the troupe built a repertoire championing new modern American ballets. The company performed in the United States and on critically acclaimed tours abroad. Choreographers whose work was represented included Agnes DeMille, Todd Bolender, John Butler, Jack Cole, Anton Dolin, Stuart Hodes, Brian McDonald, Donald Saddler, George Skibine, Norman Walker, Helen Heineman, Margo Sappington, and Vicente Nebrada, among others. The company was also known for its collaborations with high-profile designers, such as Willa Kim, Raoul Pene duBois and Rouben Ter-Arutunian. Among the principal dancers were well-known artists like Marjorie Tallchief, Brunilda Ruiz, Helgi Thomassen, Finis Jhung and Larry Rhodes, who also co-directed the company during the late 1960's with Benjamin Harkarvy. After the Harkness Ballet closed, many of its principals and soloists went on to prominent careers as star dancers in other companies, dance company artistic directors, and master dance teachers.
Harkness Foundation for Dance
Harkness Ballet Blog
An American Ballet Story