U.S. Dance Companies Navigate Patriotism for America250
In celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary, various dance companies are showcasing their creativity through performances and initiatives. The National Endowment for the Arts has distributed 50 grants of $25,000 each to aid projects commemorating America250, with notable recipients like Carolina Ballet and Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Carolina Ballet presented 'Celebration of American Music,' while Dallas Black Dance Theatre focused on themes of faith and protest in their work. Additional contributions came from the San Francisco Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Doug Varone chose to withdraw from the Kennedy Center's season as a demonstration against former President Trump's administration.
Key facts
- NEA awarded 50 grants of $25,000 each for America250 projects.
- Carolina Ballet received $25,000 for 'Celebration of American Music' featuring Balanchine's Stars and Stripes.
- Dallas Black Dance Theatre used funds for Bodies as Site of Faith and Protest by Tommie-Waheed Evans.
- Calpulli Mexican Dance Company highlighted Mexican American contributions on tour in April.
- Tulsa Ballet presented 'Made in America' at London's Royal Opera House in May.
- Mark Morris Dance Group offered programs set to American composers including Gershwin and Cowell.
- Martha Graham Dance Company celebrated its 1926 founding alongside America250.
- Matthew Steffens' ResistDance earned over 70 million views.
Entities
Artists
- George Balanchine
- Tommie-Waheed Evans
- Jerome Robbins
- Agnes de Mille
- Tamara Rojo
- Lisa de Ribere
- Paul Taylor
- Andy Blankenbuehler
- Marcello Angelini
- Yuri Possokhov
- Nicolo Fonte
- Mark Morris
- George Gershwin
- Henry Cowell
- Bob Wills
- Lou Harrison
- Janet Eilber
- Martha Graham
- Hope Boykin
- Doug Varone
- Matthew Steffens
- Renée Nicole Good
- Alex Pretti
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Institutions
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Carolina Ballet
- Dallas Black Dance Theatre
- Rochester City Ballet
- Calpulli Mexican Dance Company
- San Francisco Ballet
- Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
- Tulsa Ballet
- Royal Opera House
- Mark Morris Dance Group
- Martha Graham Dance Company
- Kennedy Center
- First Amendment Troop
- Broadway
Locations
- United States
- East Elmhurst
- New York
- London
- United Kingdom
- Oklahoma
- New York City
- Minneapolis
- Washington, DC
- Lincoln Memorial