Dance Theatre Of Harlem Returns To Chicago After 16 Years

By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 20, 2014 8:30PM

“Return” by Robert Garland. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Before Misty Copeland there was Arthur Mitchell.

Copeland has brought eyes to the ballet world recently for being only the third African American soloist at American Ballet Theater, with the goal of becoming the first African American principal dancer with the company. The attention even brought her a major ad campaign with Under Armour that put focus on her determination to achieve despite the odds.

Arthur Mitchell however, was the first African American principal dancer with any major US ballet company (New York City Ballet) back in 1956. In 1969, Mitchell, along with Karel Shook, set out on their own and opened the now legendary Dance Theatre of Harlem. What started out as a school expanded into a full company with the same mission: “to transform lives through the art form of ballet.” The company brought opportunities and discipline to the underserved youth of the predominantly African American neighborhood, and has gone on to earn a reputation for presenting and creating bold, groundbreaking works.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem returns to Chicago this weekend for the first time in 16 years with four shows at Auditorium Theatre. Coming back from a hiatus after suffering financial difficulties, the new, reinvigorated company brings with them an expectedly daring program. Resident choreographer Robert Garland’s “Return” is set to the music of Aretha Franklin and James Brown and demonstrates what it means to be “classically American” by mixing classic ballet moves like pas de borree with the Cabbage Patch. Another piece from Garland, “Gloria,” is a spiritual work dedicated to the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and will feature students from Chicago Multicultural Dance Center’s Youth Professional Training Program. The final piece, “Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven” is Ulysses Dove’s ode to love and loss after the death of 13 close friends and family members. Set to Esotonian composer Arvo Pärt’s moving “Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten,” his choreography is described as “spare but demanding.”

The Dance Theatre of Harlem performs four shows this weekend at Auditorium Theatre. Check their website for showtimes. Tickets are $30 to $95. 50 E. Congress Pkwy.