Born: 1917 (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Died: 2003 (Fort Worth, Texas)
Biography:
Janet Collins (March 7, 1917 May 28, 2003) was an African American ballet dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She performed on Broadway, in films, and appeared frequently on television. She was among the pioneers of black ballet dancing, one of the few classically trained Black dancers of her generation.
Janet Faye Collins was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and at the age of four, she moved with her family to Los Angeles, California. It was in Los Angeles that Collins received her first dance training at a Catholic community center. Despite the racial barriers of the time, Collins studied primarily with renowned teachers such as Carmelita Maracci, Lester Horton, and Adolph Bolm, who were among the few ballet teachers who accepted black students. She also had fond memories of studying with Los Angeles dance teacher Dorothy Lyndall.
In 1932, at the age of 16, Collins auditioned successfully for the prestigious Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. However, she declined the opportunity to join the company as she would have been required to paint her face and skin white in order to perform. Despite this setback, Collins persevered and continued to pursue her passion for dance.
In the 1940s, Collins collaborated with well-known dancer Katherine Dunham and joined the Dunham Company. This marked a turning point in her career, as she began to gain recognition and establish herself as a talented dancer.
A pivotal moment in Janet Collins’ dance career came in November 1948 when she performed in a one-night program at the Las Palmas Theater in Los Angeles. Her performance garnered excellent notices and served as a catalyst for her future success.
In 1948, Collins moved to New York City, where she had the opportunity to dance her own choreography on a shared program at the 92nd Street YMHA. The following year, she received glowing reviews for her performances, including in the Broadway production of Cole Porter’s musical Out of This World. In recognition of her exceptional talent, Collins was honored with the Donaldson Award for best dancer on Broadway in 1951.
One of Janet Collins’ most significant achievements was becoming the first black ballerina to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in 1951. She captivated audiences with her performances in Aida and Carmen. Collins joined the Metropolitan Opera Ballet the following year and performed with them until 1955.
After retiring from performing, Collins dedicated herself to teaching. She taught modern dance at Balanchine’s School of American Ballet in New York City and also at Marymount Manhattan College from 1951 until 1972. Collins was renowned for her expertise and passion for dance, inspiring generations of students with her teachings.
In addition to her contributions to the world of dance, Janet Collins was also an accomplished painter. She found solace and comfort in her Catholic religion and became an oblate in the Benedictine Order later in life.
Janet Collins passed away in 2003 at the age of 86 in Fort Worth, Texas. Her legacy as a pioneer of black ballet dancing continues to inspire and influence dancers around the world.
Awards:
– Donaldson Award for Best Dancer on Broadway (1951)