Summary
Dorothy Gunther Pugh was raised in Memphis, Tenn., born into a family that has called the city home for generations. Along with her ballet lessons, she witnessed the city's ongoing poverty and civil unrest. She also reveled in the legendary local music scene, absorbing the lively sounds of rock 'n' roll, soul, gospel, R&B, and rockabilly. With that kind of background, perhaps it's no wonder that in 1985 Pugh founded Ballet Memphis, a trailblazing arts group that takes its inspiration from Memphis lore and history, in addition to traditional 19th century European tales. In 2000, the company's innovative approach caught the attention of the Ford Foundation, which awarded the troupe a Sl million challenge grant. Ballet Memphis joined the San Francisco Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago as the only dance companies in the nation to receive the Ford honor that year.
See the full content of this document
Extract
A Dance of Relevance
For Dorothy Gunther Pugh, ballet has never been only about tutus and toe shoes - though it easily could have been. Growing up in an era when ballet represented something rarified and exclusive, the former ballerina could have allowed herself to be drawn into the world of the elite.
But Pugh was raised in Memphis, Tenn., born into a family that has called the city home for generations. Along with her ballet lessons, she witnessed the city's ongoing poverty and civil unrest. She also reveled in the legendary local music scene, abso...See the full content of this document
Sponsored links
