Theatre, Ballet, and... Gorillas?

Pat Hart was a celebrated Chicago costume designer, as well as a friend to gorillas...

Arthur Mitchell (1934–2018), trailblazing African-American ballet dancer

Arthur Mitchell was a ballet dancer who achieved international acclaim as the first African-American principal dancer at the New York City Ballet. He danced with the company from 1956 to 1968. Following the assassination of , he was inspired to help found the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Danny Tidwell (1984–2020), “So You Think You Can Dance” runner-up

Danny Tidwell was the runner-up on season three of “So You Think You Can Dance,” the dance competition series that airs on Fox. Tidwell trained at the Krov Academy of Ballet as a teenager and had danced with the American Ballet Theatre. His brother Travis, also a dancer, finished second on “So You Think You Can Dance” in season two.

Zizi Jeanmaire (1924–2020), French ballerina danced in Hollywood films

Zizi Jeanmaire was a French modernist ballerina who won international acclaim for her sexually suggestive dancing in the ballet “Carmen,” choreographed by her husband, Roland Petit. She later appeared in the Hollywood films “Hans Christian Andersen” (1952) with Danny Kaye, and “Anything Goes” (1956) with Bing Crosby. She was billed simply as Jeanmaire.

Lupe Serrano (1930–2023), ballerina who danced with Nureyev

Lupe Serrano was a prima ballerina with the renowned American Ballet Theatre.

Lynn Seymour (1939–2023), renowned ballerina

Lynn Seymour was an acclaimed ballerina with London’s Royal Ballet, hailed as one of the greatest of her time.

Sharon Farrell (1940–2023), actress on The Young and the Restless

Sharon Farrell was an actress best known for her roles in the films “It’s Alive,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “The Stunt Man,” and “Marlowe,” as well as her seven-year run as Florence Webster on “The Young and the Restless.” 

Michaela DePrince (1995–2024), ballerina who danced with Beyonce

Michaela DePrince was a ballerina who rose from a war-torn childhood to become a rising international star of the dance world.

Vladimir Shklyarov (1985–2024), Russian ballet star

Vladimir Shklyarov was one of the leading male ballet dancers of his time, known for his work in his home nation of Russia, as well as in cities like New York City, London, and Munich.