The Arthur Mitchell Project Symposium – Day 2

Columbia University has acquired the archives of Arthur Mitchell, the first African American Principal Dancer in a major US ballet company. On October 26-27, 2015, we honor the 60^th Anniversary of Mr. Mitchell join George Balanchine, Lincoln Kirstein, and the New York City Ballet in transforming the ballet landscape and cultural horizon.

Scheduled are two days of programming including a film chronicling Mr. Mitchell’s life and career, a conversation with Mr. Mitchell and reflections from his former NYCB colleagues, Dance Theatre of Harlem artists, dance critics, and scholars.

Please join us in paying tribute to this dance master and cultural icon.

October 27 Events

DOWNLOAD FULL PROGRAM
1:00 – 5:30 PM
Butler Library – Room 203

A Salute to Arthur Mitchell
Kathleen Hughes, Assistant Commissioner, New York City
Department of Cultural Affairs

Introduction of Panels
Marcia Sells, The Arthur Mitchell Project Symposium Curator and former Dance Theatre of Harlem dancer

Panel I: 1:30 – 2:30pm
Mr. Mitchell joining the New York City Ballet had a direct impact on ballet and his development as an artist. His stature provided opportunities for him to create ballets and start dance companies. In founding the Dance Theatre of Harlem with Karel Shook, Mr. Mitchell opened avenues to other artists of color to present their talent and skill. These panels bring together former composers, choreographers, dancers and designers in conversation on the Arthur Mitchell legacy.
PANELISTS
Karen Brown, former Artistic Director of the Oakland Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem Principal dancer
Karyn D. Collins, Dance critic and Professor of Journalism, Rutgers University
Robert Garland, Dance Theatre of Harlem Choreographer and former DTH Principal dancer
Vernon L. Ross, Wardrobe Master, Metropolitan Opera & Radio City Music Hall, and former DTH Wardrobe Master and Designer
Tania León, Composer-Conductor. Distinguished Professor, City University of New York. Artistic Director of Composers Now and DTH Founding Music Director
MODERATOR
Margo Jefferson, Professor, School of the Arts Writing Program,
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and author of Negroland: a Memoir

Panel II: 2:25 – 3:40pm
60 years ago, Mr. Mitchell danced into history by becoming the first African American dancer with the New York City Ballet. He blazed a path for many dancers of color including Misty Copeland, the first African American woman named Principal Dancer for the American Ballet Theater in 2015. Performers, writers and scholars discuss Mr. Mitchell’s impact in the dance world.
PANELISTS
Anjali Austin, Professor of Dance, Florida State University & former DTH dancer
Lynn Garafola, Professor of Dance & Co-Chair, Dance Department, Barnard College, Columbia University
Sarah L. Kaufman, Pulitzer Prize-winning critic, Washington Post
Virginia Johnson, Artistic Director of DTH & former Principal Ballerina DTH
MODERATOR
Brent Hayes Edwards, Professor, Department of English and Comparative Literature, Center for Jazz Studies, Institute for Comparative Literature and Society, Columbia University

Panel III: 3:40 – 5:15pm
Artists and their creations are often the inspirational conduits of change. Song, dance, and movement spark imagination, recast old social construct, and prompt us to see infinite possibilities for the future.
PANELISTS
Zita Allen, Dance Journalist/Historian and Strategic Communications Consultant (retired Communications Director for District Council 37)
Patricia Cruz, Executive Director, Harlem Stage
Farah Jasmine Griffin, William B. Ransford Professor of English & Comparative Literature, Columbia University
Brenda Dixon Gottschild, Professor Emerita of Dance Studies, Temple University
MODERATOR
Kendall Thomas, Nash Professor of Law and Director for the Center of Law & Culture, Columbia University School of Law

Sponsored by: Institute for Research in African American Studies, The Center for Science and Society, Barnard Department of Dance, School of the Arts Office of Community Outreach and Education, Center for Jazz Studies, Center for Law & Culture, Barnard Department of Africana Studies