Donald McKayle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donald McKayle
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Donald McKayle in 1963, courtesy of the Jerome Robbins Dance Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
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| Born | July 6, 1930 |
| Died | April 6, 2018 (aged 87) |
| Occupation | Modern dancer, choreographer, teacher, director, writer |
| Years active | 1948–2018 |
Donald McKayle (born July 6, 1930 – died April 6, 2018) was an amazing American modern dancer, choreographer, teacher, and director. He was famous for creating powerful dance pieces that explored what it means to be human. His work often focused on the experiences of Black people in America.
McKayle was one of the first Black men to break barriers in modern dance. His dances like Games (1951) and Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder (1959) are still celebrated today. He also made history on Broadway, becoming the first Black man to direct and choreograph major musicals. These included the Tony Award-winning shows Raisin (1973) and Sophisticated Ladies (1981). He also worked a lot in television and movies.
As a young dancer, McKayle performed with famous choreographers like Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. He was also part of big Broadway shows like West Side Story. Later in his life, he was a respected professor of dance at UC Irvine.
Contents
Early Life and Dance Journey
Donald McKayle was born in New York City on July 6, 1930. He grew up in East Harlem, a neighborhood with people from many different backgrounds. This mix of cultures helped him understand social issues and racial unfairness. His parents, who were from Jamaica, also taught him about being active in his community.
McKayle learned a lot from the lively West Indian parties his parents attended. He also went to a public school outside Harlem, which further opened his eyes to the world. His high school English teacher, Abel Meeropol, who wrote the famous poem "Strange Fruit", also influenced his ideas about justice.
Even though he didn't have much dance training, McKayle was inspired by a performance by the dancer Pearl Primus. In 1947, he earned a scholarship to the New Dance Group. There, he studied many dance styles, including modern, ballet, and Afro-Caribbean. His teachers included dance legends like Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. In less than a year, he was already creating his own dances!
Famous Dance Works
McKayle's early dances explored what it means to be human. They often showed themes of togetherness and community through strong, emotional movements.
When he was just 18, McKayle premiered his solo dance, Saturday's Child (1948). This piece showed the struggles of poverty and homelessness. It became very popular and helped him join the Committee for the Negro in the Arts. This group, which included leaders like Langston Hughes, worked to fight racism in the performing arts.
His dance Games (1951) was a huge success and helped launch his career. In this piece, McKayle used rhythms, chants, and street games to show childhood playtime. It also explored how poverty and unfairness affected young people's lives.
Another of his masterpieces is Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder (1959). This dance used African-inspired movements, rhythms, and music to tell a powerful story.
Broadway, TV, and Film Work
McKayle's amazing dances caught the eye of people on Broadway and in Hollywood. His first Broadway show was Golden Boy (1964). He then directed and choreographed Raisin (1974), which won a Tony Award for Best Musical! He also created the entire concept and choreography for Sophisticated Ladies (1981), another award-winning show.
He also choreographed for many popular TV shows, like The Bill Cosby Show and The Ed Sullivan Show. His work was shown on major TV networks for over 30 years. McKayle also choreographed for movies, including Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1970) and The Great White Hope (1972).
Documentary Film About Donald McKayle
There's a special film called Donald McKayle: Heartbeats of a Dancemaker. It tells his story and features appearances by Donald McKayle himself, along with famous people like Della Reese and Harry Belafonte.
Awards and Recognition
Donald McKayle received many awards for his contributions to dance.
- In 1963, he won the Capezio Dance Award.
- In 1992, he received the Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for his lifetime achievements in dance.
- In 2004, he got the Heritage Award from the National dance association for his work in dance education.
- He was also the first person to receive a special research award from the University of California, Irvine, where he taught dance.
In 2016, his dance Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder won a Bessie Award for Outstanding Revival. The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company performed it, bringing this classic modern dance to life in a powerful new way. It showed how the story of a prison chain gang from the mid-century still speaks to us today.
Dance Companies and Choreography
Donald McKayle started his own dance company, Donald McKayle and Dancers, which ran from 1951 to 1969. He also led the Inner City Repertory Dance Company. He worked closely with other famous companies like the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and the Limon Dance Company, which still perform his works.
He created more than 70 dance pieces for companies all over the world, including in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and South America.
Selected Choreography Works
- Saturday's Child (1948)
- Games (1951)
- Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder (1959)
- District Storyville (1962)
Broadway Choreography Credits
- Golden Boy (1964) – Nominated for a Tony Award
- Raisin (1973) – Nominated for Tony Awards for Choreography and Direction
- Sophisticated Ladies (1981) – Nominated for a Tony Award
Selected Film and Television Choreography
- Ed Sullivan Show (CBS, 1966/67)
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1970)
- The New Bill Cosby Show (1972)
- Free to Be... You and Me (1974)
Images for kids
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Donald McKayle in 1963
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McKayle with the Jefferson Dancers, 1992
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McKayle in 2008, posing with "Thing" from The Addams Family.
