Janet Collins facts for kids
Janet Collins (born March 7, 1917 – died May 28, 2003) was an amazing African American ballet dancer. She also created dances (a choreographer) and taught dance. Janet performed in big shows on Broadway, in movies, and often on TV. She was one of the first Black dancers to succeed in classical ballet.
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Janet Collins' Early Life and Training
Janet Faye Collins was born in New Orleans. When she was four, her family moved to Los Angeles, California. There, Janet started her first dance lessons at a Catholic community center.
She learned from famous dance teachers like Carmelita Maracci, Lester Horton, and Adolph Bolm. These teachers were special because they welcomed Black students. Janet also loved learning from Los Angeles dance teacher Dorothy Lyndall.
Breaking Barriers in Ballet
In 1932, when Janet was 16, she tried out for the famous Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo dance company. She was accepted! But there was a problem: she was told she had to paint her face and skin white to perform. Janet refused to join the company because of this unfair rule.
In the 1940s, Janet worked with the well-known dancer Katherine Dunham. She even joined Dunham's dance company. A big moment in her career happened in November 1948. She performed her own dances in a special show in Los Angeles and received excellent reviews. In 1948, she moved to New York City. There, she got another chance to perform her own choreography.
Broadway and the Metropolitan Opera
In 1949, Janet Collins earned great reviews for many performances. She starred in the Cole Porter musical Out of This World on Broadway. For this role, she won the Donaldson Award in 1951. This award was for the best dancer on Broadway.
Zachary Solov, who was the ballet master at the Met, noticed her talent. Janet also performed in famous operas like Aida and Carmen. In 1951, she made history! She became the first Black ballerina to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. She joined the company the next year and danced there until 1955.
Later Life and Legacy
After her performing career, Janet Collins taught modern dance. She taught at Balanchine's School of American Ballet in New York City. She also taught at Marymount Manhattan College from 1951 to 1972. In 1974, Janet stopped performing and teaching. She focused on her Catholic faith and became an oblate in the Benedictine Order. She was also a talented painter.
Janet Collins passed away in 2003 at the age of 86 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Her dance reputation today is mostly about her role in breaking the "color barrier" in ballet. It was very hard for Black classical dancers to have long performing careers back then. In some Southern cities, unfair race laws kept her from performing on stage. Other dancers had to take her place.
In 1974, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater honored Janet Collins. They also honored Pearl Primus as pioneering Black women in dance. Janet received a Candace Award in 1989 from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. In 2007, her famous cousin Carmen de Lavallade created the Janet Collins Fellowship. This fellowship helps talented ballet dancers who are just starting their careers.
