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Portrait of Agnes De Mille, as Venus in "The judgment of Paris" by Carl Van Vechten Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Carl Van Vechten Collection, LC-USZ62-103975

Agnes de Mille (1905-1993). American dancer, choreographer and director

Agnes de Mille was born in New York into a theatrical family, which included her father, the Hollywood director Cecil B de Mille. After some work in film, Agnes de Mille moved to London to study with Marie Rambert. She joined Ballet Club (later Ballet Rambert) and, with Antony Tudor, helped form London Ballet in 1937. She danced in some of Tudor’s ballets, including a principal role in Dark Elegies.

De Mille returned America in 1939 where she continued to perform as a dancer. For many years she was a prolific choreographer for stage musicals on Broadway and on film (including Oklahoma!, Carousel and Brigadoon). She also continued to choreograph for ballet, particularly for American Ballet Theatre, and her most famous works include Rodeo and Fall River Legend. Agnes de Mille was closely associated with Martha Graham, and formed her own Dance Theatre in 1973. She died in New York in 1993.

Timeline Event » 1937 – Premiere of Antony Tudor’s Dark Elegies by Ballet Rambert

Dark Elegies was created by Antony Tudor for Ballet Rambert in London in 1937 and it premiered at the Duchess Theatre, London. In 1940 it was premiered in New York, where its choreographer was to...