Born: 1920 (Durwood, Carter County, Oklahoma)
Died: 2008
Biography:
Rosella Hightower (January 10, 1920 November 4, 2008) was an American ballerina and member of the Choctaw Nation who achieved fame in both the United States and Europe.
Rosella Hightower was born in Durwood, Carter County, Oklahoma, the only child of Charles Edgar Hightower and his wife, Eula May Fanning. With a Choctaw heritage, her family later moved to Kansas City, Missouri, after her father accepted a new position with the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. It was in Kansas City where Hightower’s dance training began under the guidance of Dorothy Perkins.
In 1937, Russian choreographer and ballet dancer Léonide Massine appeared in Kansas City with Wassily de Basil’s Ballets Russes. Impressed by Hightower’s talent, Massine invited her to join a new ballet company he was forming in Monte Carlo. Hightower, determined to seize this opportunity, traveled to France at her own expense, only to discover that she had been invited for further auditions without any guarantee of employment. Nevertheless, her dedication and skill earned her a place in the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, where she was mentored by Massine himself. It was during her time with this company that she met André Eglevsky, who would become her future partner in various dance companies.
With the outbreak of World War II, Hightower followed the Ballet Russe to New York City, where she joined the Ballet Theater in 1941. In 1946, she became a member of the de Basil Ballet, which was performing under the name Original Ballet Russe. It was during this period that Hightower received critical acclaim for her performances. Her portrayal of the title role in Giselle, which she learned in just five hours of rehearsal with Anton Dolin, earned her high praise from John Martin of The New York Times. He hailed her performance as a thoroughly admirable achievement and praised her talent, which led to standing ovations from the audience.
Hightower continued to shine in her career, captivating audiences and critics alike. In 1947, she accepted an invitation from Marquis George de Cuevas to join a new ballet company, commonly known as the de Cuevas Ballet. Bronislava Nijinska, a renowned choreographer, was also part of this company, adding to its prestige.
Throughout her illustrious career, Hightower proved herself to be a versatile and gifted dancer. Her performances in ballet classics and her ability to learn and excel in new roles quickly earned her the reputation of being the newest star on the ballet horizon. Her dedication and talent left a lasting impact on the world of dance.