Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) wrapped up a triumphant return to New York City Center, with four bold, high-energy performances that reflected both the company’s storied past and its boundary-pushing future.
Spanning three days, the company offered a thrilling blend of premieres and cherished repertory works, drawing packed houses and enthusiastic ovations. Highlights included the world premiere of Passage of Being by Jodie Gates, company premieres of William Forsythe’s The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude and George Balanchine’s Donizetti Variations, and the New York premiere of Artistic Director Robert Garland’s The Cookout—a joyous tribute to community, resilience, and Harlem’s cultural heartbeat.
Garland’s ever-popular Return, set to the timeless voices of James Brown and Aretha Franklin, once again brought the audience to its feet with its seamless fusion of classical ballet and soul.
The season’s emotional centerpiece came during the Vision Gala, chaired by filmmaker Ava DuVernay, with special guests Ben Vereen, D-Nice, and Kenny Burns. Garland’s powerful We Are All Brown, commemorating Brown v. Board of Education, was introduced by a moving oration from Janai Nelson, President of the Legal Defense Fund. The performance served as a reminder that DTH’s mission is as urgent today as it was when the company was founded.
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A Legacy of Change
Dance Theatre of Harlem was born out of revolution. In 1969, in the wake of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, Arthur Mitchell—a trailblazing Black principal dancer with New York City Ballet—returned to Harlem to create a school that would bring ballet to children who had never been given access to it. Along with co-founder Karel Shook, Mitchell launched what The New York Times called “one of ballet’s most exciting undertakings.”
More than 56 years later, DTH continues to shatter stereotypes and elevate underrepresented voices on the concert dance stage. The company has nurtured generations of dancers, choreographers, and arts leaders, standing at the intersection of classical excellence and social progress. With Garland now at the helm, the company is entering a new era defined by bold programming and a renewed commitment to inclusivity.
What’s Next
Dance Theatre of Harlem is now preparing to take its singular artistry on the road:
- May 18, 2025 – Harlem Mouse/Country Mouse
Apollo Theater, New York, NY
A playful, family-friendly reimagining of Aesop’s fable, blending the cultural traditions of the Black South and contemporary Harlem. Features performances by DTH company members and students from the DTH School. - September 11, 2025 – Romeo, Juliet & Dance Theatre of Harlem
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA
In collaboration with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, DTH will join conductor Jonathon Heyward for an evening of dance and orchestral music inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, featuring works by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev.
For more information and tickets, visit www.dancetheatreofharlem.org
Article by Jazmyn Summers. You can hear Jazmyn every morning on “Jazmyn in the Morning “on Sirius XM Channel 362 Grown Folk Jamz and Grownfolkjamz.com. Subscribe to Jazmyn Summers’ YouTube. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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