Stephanie Dabney

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Stephanie Dabney
Born(1958-07-11)July 11, 1958
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedSeptember 28, 2022(2022-09-28) (aged 64)
New York City, U.S.
Years active1975–1996
Career
DancesBallet

Stephanie Renee Dabney (July 11, 1958 – September 28, 2022) was an American dancer who performed as a prima ballerina with Dance Theatre of Harlem from 1979 through 1994.[1][2] Dabney is best known for her performances in John Taras' The Firebird, which she performed all over the world, as well as at the opening ceremony of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.[3][4][5]

Early life[edit]

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania into a military family, Dabney was raised in Youngstown, Ohio where she began her ballet training at Ballet Western Reserve at the age of 4.[6][7] After seeing the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform on tour, with dancers who looked like her, Dabney decided to become a professional dancer.[6] The following year, Dance Theatre of Harlem conducted a residency in her town, during which Dabney enrolled in a masterclass with the company. Arthur Mitchell, co-founder and artistic director of DTH, observed her in class and invited her to study at his school in New York.[6] Because she had already been awarded a scholarship to study at The Ailey School, she declined.[7]

However, after one week at The Ailey School she realized that she preferred ballet to modern dance and decided to transfer to Dance Theatre Harlem's school. Three months later, in 1975, she joined the company as an apprentice under the name Stephanie Baxter.[7]

Career[edit]

Working her way up through the company's repertory, Dabney had her breakthrough when John Taras selected her to premiere in the title role of his new version of The Firebird with costumes and sets by Geoffrey Holder.[8] Dabney received ecstatic reviews from the three leading dance critics at The New York Times, Anna Kisselgoff, Jennifer Dunning, and Jack Anderson, for her performance.[9][10][11] From that point onward, "Stephanie Baxter" was billed as "Stephanie Dabney".[7]

Capitalizing on the success of Firebird, Arthur Mitchell had the company's Kennedy Center premiere of the work filmed and shown as part of Kennedy Center Tonight on WNET-TV at 9. The resulting program, Stravinsky's 'Firebird' by Dance Theatre of Harlem, featured a documentary on behind-the-scenes aspects of the production, and interviews with the creative team, followed by a live performance. This presentation was directed by Kirk Browning and produced and edited for Pittsburgh station WQED-TV by Beverly Baroff.[12] Two years later, Dabney was invited to perform as the Firebird alongside DTH as part of the opening ceremony of The 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.[4][13]

Over the course of her career with DTH, Dabney was celebrated for her performances in a wide range of repertory that included: George Balanchine's Concerto Barocco,[14] The Four Temperaments,[15] and Allegro Brilliante,[16] Glenn Tetley's Voluntaries,[11] Bronislava Nijinska's Rondo Capriccioso,[17] Arthur Mitchell's Manifestations,[18] Ruth Page and Bentley Stone's Frankie and Johnny,[19] Billy Wilson's Concerto in F,[20] and Frederic Franklin's Swan Lake[21] & Creole Giselle.[22][23]

Retirement[edit]

In 1990 Dabney was diagnosed with HIV. In 1996, following a year long battle with opportunistic infections, she formally retired from performing.[24] Since retirement she has taught ballet at Spelman College.[25] Dabney died at a nursing home in Manhattan, New York City on September 28, 2022, from cardiopulmonary arrest at the age of 64.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kisselgoff, Anna (March 14, 1994). "Review/Dance; A Company Still in Search Of a Repertory". The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b Bauer, Claudia (October 8, 2022). "Stephanie Dabney, Electrifying Prima Ballerina, Dies at 64". The New York Times. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  3. ^ Willis, Margaret (August 9, 1984). "Dramatic, zestful Dance Theater of Harlem in London". The Christian Science Monitor.
  4. ^ a b Pratt, Stacy (April 13, 2017). "Standing ovation! These 25 African American ballerinas paved the way for Misty Copeland". Yahoo News.
  5. ^ Dunning, Jennifer (June 25, 1985). "BALLET: HARLEM TROUPE'S 'GISELLE'". The New York Times.
  6. ^ a b c "Stephanie Dabney". MOBBallet.org. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d Dunning, Jennifer (January 15, 1982). "DANCE THEATER OF HARLEM A MAGNET FOR YOUTH". The New York Times.
  8. ^ Lee, Trymaine (October 5, 2010). "A Firebird No Longer in Toe Shoes". The New York Times.
  9. ^ Kisselgoff, Anna (September 28, 1984). "DANCE: HARLEM TROUPE AT CITY CENTER". The New York Times.
  10. ^ Anderson, Jack (July 2, 1988). "Review/Dance; Fokine Infuses a Program by the Harlem Troupe". The New York Times.
  11. ^ a b Dunning, Jennifer (June 22, 1985). "BALLET: HARLEM DANCE THEATER IN TRIPLE BILL OF DIVERSE STYLES". The New York Times.
  12. ^ O'Connor, John (May 5, 1982). "TV: THE HARLEM DANCERS' 'FIREBIRD'". The New York Times.
  13. ^ Litsky, Frank (August 13, 1984). "A STRIKING CLOSING CEREMONY". The New York Times.
  14. ^ Anderson, Jack (October 31, 1988). "Reviews/Dance; Harlem Troupe Celebrates Itself on the Stage". The New York Times.
  15. ^ Tomalonis, Alexandra (April 9, 1991). "Dance". The Washington Post.
  16. ^ Jackson, George (March 15, 1989). "HARLEM'S FINE-TUNED BALANCHINE". The Washington Post.
  17. ^ Anderson, Jack (June 29, 1989). "Review/Ballet; Solemn, Giddy, Dazzling: Nijinska". The New York Times.
  18. ^ Anderson, Jack (January 12, 1981). "THE DANCE: THEATER OF HARLEM TROUPE". The New York Times.
  19. ^ Kisselgoff, Anna (February 13, 1983). "Dance; Harlem Theatre's Othello". The New York Times.
  20. ^ Dunning, Jennifer (March 21, 1987). "DANCE: 'AGON' OFFERED BY TROUPE IN HARLEM". The New York Times.
  21. ^ Jackson, George (March 20, 1990). "Dance". The Washington Post.
  22. ^ Dunning, Jennifer (June 24, 1989). "Review/Dance; Harlem Troupe Displays A Balanchine Presence". The New York Times.
  23. ^ "Dance review : Dabney and Williams Join Harlem Theatre's 'Giselle'". Los Angeles Times. May 14, 1985. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  24. ^ Perron, Wendy (December 1, 2000). "LIVING WITH AIDS: SIX DANCERS SHARE THEIR STORIES". Dance Magazine.
  25. ^ Perron, Wendy (November 5, 2013). Through The Eyes of a Dancer. Wesleyan University Press. pp. 163–169. ISBN 9780819574091.
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