Joffrey Co-Founder Gerald Arpino Dies

By Amy Mikel in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 30, 2008 5:35PM

Joffrey Ballet co-founder Gerald Arpino died yesterday from complications involving prostate cancer at the age of 85. As Artistic Director of the company from Robert Joffrey’s death in 1988 until the succession of Ashley Wheater in 2007, Arpino’s guidance and utter commitment were pivotal in helping Joffrey to become what is now an esteemed international ballet company. Taken a stroll down State Street lately? The huge signage for Joffrey Ballet’s new permanent home glows blue, three stories above the corner of State and Randolph. Pedestrians can even look up and see dancers rehearsing at the barre, a symbolic testament to the company’s growing relationship with the city. More importantly, the high-profile location is a major sign that Joffrey Ballet is finally enjoying prosperity as a dance company, which hasn’t always been the case.

It’s important to note that under Arpino’s direction, the ballet company rose from near bankruptcy to find a permanent home and support within the Chicago artistic community. Looking for longevity, Arpino moved the company from New York to Chicago in 1995, building a solid repertoire and management team and eventually giving our city what it had not previously enjoyed: a renowned ballet company to call its own.

WTTW will be running a segment on the Ballet Master during their Chicago Tonight program this evening at 7:00 p.m. In the meantime, for your viewing pleasure, here is an excerpt from Arpino’s “Light Rain”, taken from Robert Altman’s The Company.