Dance Theatre of Harlem
Keynote Speaker: Pioneering Ballet Company & Cultural Institution; Founded by Arthur Mitchell; Internationally Acclaimed for Artistic Excellence
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Dance Theatre of Harlem Biography
Dance Theatre of Harlem stands as a significant institution in the history of American dance. Recognized as both the first Black classical ballet company and the first major ballet company to prioritize Black dancers, Dance Theatre of Harlem was created in New York City by Arthur Mitchell, following his historic achievement as the first Black principal dancer at New York City Ballet. Mitchell, a protégé of George Balanchine, was inspired to establish the company after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. His vision was to create a school that would offer children in Harlem the opportunity to learn about dance and the allied arts. The New York Times has described Dance Theatre of Harlem as "one of ballet's most exciting undertakings."
Although Dance Theatre of Harlem began touring in 1969, its official New York City debut took place at the Guggenheim Museum, featuring chamber ballets choreographed by Mitchell. The company gained international recognition through a Caribbean performance tour, an engagement at the Spoleto Festival, and a London debut at Sadler's Wells Theatre. Dance Theatre of Harlem later embarked on a five-week tour of the USSR, performing to sold-out audiences in Moscow, Tbilisi, and Leningrad, and received a standing ovation at the Kirov Theatre. The company was also the first American ballet company to perform in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union and made an international statement during its tour to South Africa at the end of apartheid. Over its more than 50-year history, Dance Theatre of Harlem has performed in 44 states, 250 cities in North America, and in 40 countries on six continents.
The company's artistic legacy is closely tied to its commitment to cultural representation and inclusion in ballet. Since its founding, Dance Theatre of Harlem has crossed social and geographic barriers by introducing the ballet world to a Creole "Giselle," inviting audiences to a Caribbean wedding in "Dougla," and bringing ballet to Harlem through education and community outreach. Mitchell's insistence that tights and pointe shoes be dyed to match each dancer's skin tone became one of the company's most iconic and symbolic acts of artistic affirmation. By the early 1990s, Dance Theatre of Harlem had become a world-renowned company with 49 dancers and 75 ballets in its repertory. The company went on hiatus due to financial challenges, and Mitchell later asked Virginia Johnson to lead its return. Johnson's tenure included 12 years as artistic director, following 28 years as a company member, during which she was a founding member and principal dancer.
Now in its sixth decade, Dance Theatre of Harlem has evolved into a multicultural dance institution with a legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence. Robert Garland, who joined the company after graduating from Juilliard and became a principal dancer, later directed the Dance Theatre of Harlem School and became the company's first resident choreographer before being appointed artistic director. The company performs a repertoire that includes treasured classics, neoclassical works by Balanchine and Garland, and innovative contemporary works that use ballet to celebrate Mitchell's belief that ballet belongs to everyone. Dance Theatre of Harlem's seasons at New York City Center have demonstrated the company's dedication to the Black experience and legacy, featuring new neoclassical works from Garland, world premieres from choreographers such as Jodie Gates, and classics by William Forsythe and Balanchine.
Through performances, community engagement, and arts education, Dance Theatre of Harlem continues to advance its message of empowerment through the arts. The company is known for its national and international tours and its "Dancing Through Barriers" outreach and education program. Dance Theatre of Harlem exemplifies what is possible when an inclusive approach to art is allowed to evolve and thrive. As the New York Times noted, the company has spent decades claiming the language and beauty of ballet for Black dancers—a mission that remains vital and resonant.
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Dance Theatre of Harlem Videos
How do I book Dance Theatre of Harlem to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Dance Theatre of Harlem for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Dance Theatre of Harlem, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Dance Theatre of Harlem or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Dance Theatre of Harlem for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Dance Theatre of Harlem, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is Below $10,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Dance Theatre of Harlem, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Dance Theatre of Harlem speak about?
Dance Theatre of Harlem is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Diversity & Inclusion and Performing Arts.
Where does Dance Theatre of Harlem travel from?
Dance Theatre of Harlem generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Dance Theatre of Harlem?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Dance Theatre of Harlem for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Dance Theatre of Harlem for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Dance Theatre of Harlem or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Dance Theatre of Harlem is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Diversity & Inclusion and Performing Arts. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dance Theatre of Harlem for live events is Below $10,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Dance Theatre of Harlem generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Wendee Lee Curtis, Danny Pino and Adrienne Warren. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dance Theatre of Harlem for an upcoming event.
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Dance Theatre of Harlem Videos
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How do I book Dance Theatre of Harlem to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Dance Theatre of Harlem for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Dance Theatre of Harlem, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Dance Theatre of Harlem or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Dance Theatre of Harlem for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Dance Theatre of Harlem, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is Below $10,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Dance Theatre of Harlem, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Dance Theatre of Harlem speak about?
Dance Theatre of Harlem is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Diversity & Inclusion and Performing Arts. -
Where does Dance Theatre of Harlem travel from?
Dance Theatre of Harlem generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Dance Theatre of Harlem?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Dance Theatre of Harlem for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Dance Theatre of Harlem for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Dance Theatre of Harlem or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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