The American Ballet

Provides photographs of members of the American Ballet Theatre demonstrating positions and includes discussion and photographs of classwork, rehearsal, choreography, and major ballets.

Ballet fans worldwide will cherish this beautiful photographic retrospective of the last 25 years of the American Ballet Theatre. Featuring more than 120 black-and-white photographs and more than 50 color photographs, this book captures the historic moments in a troupe whose performances have been described by the New York Times as "a marathon of glorious dancing."With a substantial foreword by critic Clive Barnes, the text by Elizabeth Kaye narrates the rich history of the 60-year-old troupe, then concentrates on the two significant eras that have taken the ABT into the millennium as one of the most celebrated dance companies in the world: In the period in which Mikhail Baryshnikov served as its artistic director, commencing in 1980, the company strengthened and refined its classical tradition. The modern era, commencing when former principal dancer Kevin McKenzie took over in 1992, has seen a solid and adventuresome company turning a financial crisis into what Dance magazine calls "a cloudless horizon."Recognized as one of the world's greatest dance companies, ABT sets itself apart by its size, scope, and outreach. Founded in 1940, ABT performs for more than 600,000 people throughout the United State each year and is now in its sixth decade.The book celebrates the rich history of the company considered one of America's living treasures. Some ABT highlights include the company premier of Rudolf Nereyev's Raymonda, the world premiere of Mikhail Baryshnikov's The Nutcracker, and the world premiere of Antony Tudor's The Tiller in the Fields.

To many people, Lucia Chase (1897-1986) was the American Ballet Theatre, and her reign as the queen of American ballet lasted for more than four decades. It was Chase who brought Nureyev, Bujones, Kirkland, and eventually Baryshnikov to ABT. Under her leadership, the company worked with such legends as Agnes de Mille, Anthony Tudor, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp. Her drive, ambition, tenacity, and money kept the doors open even during the lean years. A dancer when the company made its debut in 1940, she was artistic director for an unprecedented thirty-five years, from 1945 to 1980. Over the course of her career, she received numerous honors and awards, including the U.S. Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Combining unique personal insights as Chase's son along with experience garnered from his own professional dance and administrative career, Alex Ewing offers the definitive story of one of the true pioneers in the world of American ballet.

This unique and lavishly illustrated volume is the only intimate behind-the-scenes book about Mikhail Baryshnikov's leadership of one of the world's premier dance companies. Fraser provides insight into the spirit and mood of the company during Mikhail's directorship and the reasons for his sudden resignation.

It isn't very often that late bloomers are called prodigies, but Misty Copeland is an extraordinary case. At the age of 13, she began her formal ballet training, which is considerably later than most children begin ballet. In 2015, Copeland was promoted from soloist to principal at American Ballet Theatre, one of the world's premiere ballet companies. She has written a memoir and a children's book, and starred in the screen adaptation of her memoir. She advocates for inclusivity in the classical ballet world and as well as body positivity for young women.