Honoring a Legend
Renowned artists from all over the country gather to celebrate the legacy of one of American ballet's forefathers, Gerald Arpino with the Arpino Dance Festival. A few of the artists involved in the festival reflect on Arpino's legacy.
“[Gerald Arpino] was wild and passionate,” says Suzanne Lopez, who danced with The Joffrey Ballet from 1991 to 2010, during the majority of Arpino’s tenure as artistic director. “People just always wanted to work with him. You wanted to be nowhere else.” - Lauren Wenecke for Dance Magazine
Choreographer Gerald Arpino (1923-2008) wasn’t afraid to be “the first”. When Arpino danced in the early 1950’s, touring dance companies only performed reduced versions of ballet classics. Arpino and his artistic partner Robert Joffrey wanted to bring the works of contemporary American choreographers to audiences everywhere. To accomplish this, they wanted to train a core group of dancers capable of performing the versatile repertoire they envisioned. So in 1953, the duo opened The Joffrey Ballet School on Sixth Avenue in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Within a year, the Robert Joffrey Ballet debuted with performances at the 92nd St. YMHA. A few years later, an ensemble of six dancers led by Arpino toured the country performing twenty-three one-night stands in eleven states.
Their first tour represented a radical departure in ballet company programming with a focus on contemporary American composers and choreographers. Soon, Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino began commissioning works from modern and postmodern choreographers, such as Alvin Ailey, Anna Sokolow, and Twyla Tharp. Before long, the company also began to perform classics and important 20th century revivals, creating a unique diversity that set the Robert Joffrey Theatre Dancers apart. Arpino created about a third of The Joffrey’s repertoire, with his broadly appealing ballets sprinkled into every program.
Over the next 65 years, the Joffrey moved from city-to-city, stage-to-stage, brandishing a reputation as America’s Company of Firsts. The Joffrey Ballet was the first dance company to perform at the White House at Jacqueline Kennedy’s invitation, the first to appear on American television, the first classical dance company to use multi-media, the first to create a ballet set to rock music, the first to appear on the cover of TIME Magazine, and, the first company to have a major motion picture based on its origins (Robert Altman’s The Company). After Robert Joffrey’s tragic death in 1988, Arpino filled the Director’s Chair, moving The Joffrey to Chicago and ushering in a new era for the company.
Gerald Arpino’s nonconformist programming, blending seemingly incongruous dance styles, and high standards have influenced dancers and choreographers for years since, including former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater artists Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, who used Gerald Arpino’s Joffrey tenure as inspiration to form their company, Complexions Contemporary Ballet. “We were really moved by the trajectory of The Joffrey company and what they were doing,” Rhoden says. “The dancers were distinctive and different.”
This year, in a collaboration with The Gerald Arpino Foundation and The Joyce Theater, distinguished dancers and companies from across the country honor Arpino’s legacy with the Arpino Dance Festival: The Joffrey Ballet, Artistic Ventures in Dance, Oklahoma City Ballet, Ballet West, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. This gathering of artists represents a homecoming for many of them. For example, Guest Artist Fabrice Calmels danced with The Joffrey Ballet from 2002-2019 and Artistic Director of Ballet West Adam Sklute was one of the last dancers chosen by Robert Joffrey to join the company in the mid 1980s. Past Joffrey dancers’ continued devotion to Arpino’s legacy is a testament to his impact, and The Joffrey continues to keep this spirit alive with their current dancers.
In this article, various participants in the Arpino Dance Festival reflect on Arpino’s impact and how this festival continues to honor his legacy.
How is this festival an extension of the Arpino Foundation’s mission to make the ballets accessible to all audiences?
[Michael Anderson, Arpino Foundation Board President] The Foundation is committed to preserving and promoting the legacy of Gerald Arpino and Robert Joffrey. The Arpino Dance Festival is a direct reflection of this mission, serving as an accessible platform to share Arpino’s vital contributions to dance. By presenting his ballets, the festival helps ensure that Arpino’s distinctive movement, style, and artistic vision continue to influence and inspire both dancers and audiences.
Many of these works, created between 1962 and 1986, have not been performed in New York City’s major theaters for over 30 years. We are thrilled to bring these ballets back to the stage, making them accessible to a new generation of dancers, students, and audiences. This festival’s inclusive approach highlights the importance of sharing Arpino’s legacy broadly and ensures his groundbreaking choreography remains alive and relevant for all to experience.
What was the selection process for determining the Festival casting?
[Michael Anderson, Arpino Foundation Board President] The selection process for the Festival casting involved evaluating which companies across the country currently have Arpino ballets in their repertory and assessing their availability. We began by focusing on New York City-based artists and companies and then expanded our search nationwide to ensure a well-rounded program. We’re excited to include Dance Theater of Harlem and AVID as two new companies to perform Arpino’s works, which adds fresh perspectives to the festival.
Our goal was to curate a program that reflects the diversity and range of Arpino’s choreography, showcasing his versatility. Since Arpino often choreographed to highlight the unique strengths of his dancers, we aimed to feature pieces that demonstrate that tailored creativity. We believe the audience will see this ingenuity throughout the festival and enjoy a diverse lineup that offers something for everyone.
What about Arpino’s choreography continues to inspire you?
[Cameron Basden, Arpino Foundation Board Member] Arpino's essence of movement, the quality and energy his works demand. I appreciate that the movement required in his works translates into other works. There is an exuberant freedom that dancers feel when dancing his works-and that audiences feel when they watch them.
[Dylan Gutierrez, Joffrey Ballet dancer in ROUND OF ANGELS] What inspires me is that no matter the subject matter of Arpino’s work there is always an underlying theme of Joy, whether it’s shown in the movement or in the formations and spacing. There’s a feeling of being all in it together. His work was also current to the time it was created which makes some of his pieces wonderful time capsules and others timeless.
[Emily Speed, Artistic Director of AVID + dancer in VALENTINE] Every time I dance an Arpino ballet, I eliminate a limiting belief about my dancing. Not only does it push me mentally and physically but his works have enabled me to see my own dancing in a different light.
*[Valerie Madonia, stager of SEA SHADOW, and former ballet dancer at National Ballet of Canada, American Ballet Theatre, & The Joffrey Ballet] Each of Arpino’s ballets have a flavor that dictates movement and theatricality. He loved to augment his choreography by adding magic in the form of flower petals, glitter, mirrors, smoke. Arpino liked elongated lines, exaggerated arms, movement initiated from the torso, fast footwork, exciting entrances and exits, pulling off balance, stylized running, and always fluttering bourrées.
Arpino’s Dance Magazine Award read: “His work speaks clearly of the anguish and the joy of being young in America today.” From your perspective, how do you think Arpino’s choreography speaks to America’s current youth?
[Cameron Basden, Arpino Foundation Board Member] While young dancers of today are of a different mindset, the spirit, the energy and even the 'anguish' is absolutely relatable. Life continues to happen and I think it speaks to the timelessness of his works that dancers are able to find meanings that relate to their 'now' that brings a different perspective and reality to the pieces. He would want that in his works.
[Emily Speed, Artistic Director of AVID + dancer in VALENTINE] It is so important to continue to pass down the history and legacy of ballet from generation to generation. It’s my favorite part of our art form. Arpino’s work pushed boundaries and challenged the dancers. What better legacy could the young dancers of today learn from? We have to keep challenging ourselves and pushing the envelope!
*[Valerie Madonia, stager of SEA SHADOW, and former ballet dancer at National Ballet of Canada, American Ballet Theatre, & The Joffrey Ballet] Arpino was one of my mentors, artistic supporters, and a director who shaped me as a dance artist. Passing on his work to younger generations is an honor and keeps his legacy alive in the beautiful tradition of mentor to acolyte.
What about the festival are you most excited to share with Joyce audiences?
[Cameron Basden, Arpino Foundation Board Member] In these two weeks of performances there is such a range of works-each one is unique. Whether it is the most classical to a humorous take on relationships, it really speaks to having 'something for everyone' which was always a hallmark of the Joffrey company. Arpino's choreography was like that-he created what he felt at the moment, of the time. I also think he has his own voice in movement-it doesn't look like anything else and audiences come away from the theater energized and inspired.
[Dylan Gutierrez, Joffrey Ballet dancer in ROUND OF ANGELS] I’m most excited about audiences being able to experience an era of creative expression that still lives on at the current Joffrey Ballet. Arpino’s works are about individuality, and love of performance and I think it rubs off on anyone dancing or watching his work.
[Emily Speed, Artistic Director of AVID + dancer in VALENTINE] This is the second time I’ve been lucky enough to perform a comedic ballet. It’s rare and I’m excited to share something that I hope will make the Joyce audiences laugh. We don’t laugh enough!
*Quotes from Valerie Madonia pulled from this interview.
The Arpino Dance Festival is performing on The Joyce Stage now through October 12th. Get tickets here!