Choreographer

Dance Theatre of Harlem is a Detroit favorite returning to the Detroit Opera House after their 2023 performances. Arthur Mitchell created the company in New York City after making history in 1955 as the first black principal dancer at New York City Ballet. He was also the famed protégé of George Balanchine, the “Father of American Ballet.” Their Detroit program will feature pieces created by Robert Garland, Jodie Gates and other iconic works.

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Dance Theatre of Harlem

Detroit Opera House

Alberta Ballet is thrilled to host the Dance Theatre of Harlem, a multi-ethnic ensemble that paves the way for an inclusive future in embracing the belief of its founder: “ballet belongs to everyone.”

Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

University of Alberta

The world-renowned company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and Artistic Director Robert Garland, as well as innovative contemporary works that use the language of ballet to celebrate Dance Theatre of Harlem founder Arthur Mitchell’s belief that ballet belongs to everyone.

Dance Theatre Of Harlem

Alexander W. Dreyfoos Concert Hall

Dance Theatre of Harlem has achieved unprecedented success, bringing innovative and bold new forms of artistic expression to audiences around the world. The 18-member, multi-ethnic company performs a forward-thinking repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and new artistic director Robert Garland, as well as innovative contemporary works that use the language of ballet to celebrate Arthur Mitchell’s belief that ballet belongs to everyone.

Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts

In an inspiring season that celebrates both newly named Artistic Director Robert Garland and the 90th birthday of the Company’s legendary founder Arthur Mitchell, Dance Theatre of Harlem reaffirms that the future of ballet is in Harlem. Honoring Mitchell’s legacy and ushering in the next generation of his vision, this festival-style weekend of performances features audience favorites and new repertory alike.

New York City Center

A singular presence in the ballet world, the Dance Theatre of Harlem presents a powerful vision for ballet in the 21st century. The 18-member company’s forward-thinking repertoire includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by George Balanchine and resident choreographer Robert Garland, and innovative contemporary works that use the language of ballet to celebrate African American culture.

Marcus Performing Arts Center

Founded by Arthur Mitchell, who was the first African-American principal dancer of New York City Ballet, the company is steeped in the neoclassical style developed by George Balanchine. The current artistic director and resident choreographer, Robert Garland, has choreographed contemporary ballets to the music of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and Motown music. The company’s most recent performance at the Detroit Opera House in 2022 featured Claudia Schreier’s Passage, a work commissioned to mark the 400th year of the arrival of enslaved Africans in North America, and Higher Ground, a ballet set to songs by Stevie Wonder.

The future of ballet is coming Next. We’ve celebrated maker culture here in the Bay Area for decades, so to celebrate San Francisco’s 90th anniversary we’re looking forward. The next@90 festival presents 9 world premiere ballets by 9 innovative, international choreographers, centering the innovation of the dance world right here in San Francisco. Featuring new works by Nicolas Blanc, Bridget Breiner, Robert Garland, Benjamin Millepied, Yuka Oishi, Yuri Possokhov, Jamar Roberts, Danielle Rowe, and Claudia Schreier.

Festival C

War Memorial Opera House

The future of ballet is coming Next. We’ve celebrated maker culture here in the Bay Area for decades, so to celebrate San Francisco’s 90th anniversary we’re looking forward. The next@90 festival presents 9 world premiere ballets by 9 innovative, international choreographers, centering the innovation of the dance world right here in San Francisco. next@90 festival features new works by Nicolas Blanc, Bridget Breiner, Val Caniparoli, Robert Garland, Yuka Oishi, Yuri Possokhov, Jamar Roberts, Danielle Rowe, and Claudia Schreier.

Choreographer

Robert Garland

Events

Past events

15 - 16 Nov, 2025

Dance Theatre of Harlem · Detroit Opera

13 - 22 Feb, 2025

Dance Theatre of Harlem · Alberta Ballet

About

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