As they prepared for the leadership transition, Virginia Johnson and Robert Garland spoke about their deep, shared history with Dance Theatre of Harlem, their commitment to continuing the work of Arthur Mitchell, and their hopes for the future of DTH’s company and school. 

Tai Jimenez spent 12 years as a principal dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem. She has been chosen to lead the DTH School when its current director, Robert Garland, becomes the company’s artistic director.

When Robert Garland becomes artistic director of Dance Theatre of Harlem on July 1, he follows in the footsteps of founder Arthur Mitchell and retiring artistic director Virginia Johnson. He’s stepping into an important role: In addition to being a leading classical company that’s toured worldwide, DTH has had a significant impact on the field of dance and the larger American cultural landscape.

Arthur Mitchell was my mentor. He was the miracle who crossed my path and introduced me to the world of professional ballet.

When Mel Tomlinson made his New York City Ballet debut in November 1981, the then-27-year-old was already a well-known figure to New York audiences. He appeared with Dance Theatre of Harlem beginning in 1974 and, other than a two-year break to join Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, remained an electric presence there until his surprise […]

Last Wednesday, Dance Theatre of Harlem co-founder and ballet pioneer Arthur Mitchell died. He was 84 years old and, though vibrant and tenacious as ever, this past year the toll that illness and age were taking on him was visible. In October when he hosted “An Informal Performance on the Art of Dance” to celebrate the donation of […]

Every member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem family can recite co-founder Arthur Mitchell’s credo, “You represent something larger than yourself.” Whether consciously or not, they all move through the world accordingly. Mitchell often remarked that “I don’t have no dumb dancers,” and he took pride in the fact that after being at DTH, dancers […]

On Monday night, a memorial was held at Riverside Church to honor the life and achievements of Dance Theatre of Harlem co-founder Arthur Mitchell. With nearly three months to process and grieve (Mitchell passed away on September 19) the atmosphere was not that of mourning as much as reflection, reverence and admiration for who he […]