Virginia Johnson News

With the announced closing of Broadway’s longest running show, questions have risen about tourism (the numbers in New York actually look much stronger than a hot take on Phantom might suggest), about the resiliency of brands (also highlighted by what the future might hold for Second City), and what gets audiences excited to come out to the theater.

Bringing to a close a four decade-long chapter of dance history, Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson has announced her retirement from the visionary company, set for the close of the 2022-23 season on June 30, 2023.

Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” will welcome Cuban dance legend Laura Alonso for a weeklong residency. The daughter of world-famous ballerina Alicia Alonso, Laura is an award-winning teacher and coach.

Five of NYC's most iconic dance companies-Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem-return for the second BAAND Together Dance Festival, sharing the spotlight and an outdoor stage as a part of Summer for the City, Lincoln Center's new program that activates the entire campus under one banner offering hundreds of free live shows this summer season.

In honor of Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson’s retirement after 37 years, SF Ballet, in collaboration with Words on Dance, will host a special New York celebration in his honor on Monday, May 23 at 6pm at Chelsea Factory.

Just last night, Dance Theatre of Harlem honored director, choreographer, actress and dancer Debbie Allen with the Arthur Mitchell Vision Award. The Chairman’s Award was given to Dr. Donald J. Rose and Dr. Wendy S. Ziecheck. 

Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen announces the promotion of Chyrstyn Fentroy to principal dancer. Fentroy joined Boston Ballet as an artist of the Company in 2017, was promoted to second soloist in 2018, and to soloist in 2019.

The Lesher Center for the Arts announces the stellar lineup for its Headliners series, kicking off January 7 with Grammy and multi-award-winning singer LeAnn Rimes.

Rebecca Robertson, Founding President and Executive Producer of Park Avenue Armory, today announced the appointment of Tavia Nyong'o as the nonprofit cultural institution's new Curator of Public Programming.

Five of New York City’s most acclaimed dance companies—Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem—will perform on the same stage at the first BAAND Together Dance Festival in Damrosch Park as part of Restart Stages.

Virginia Johnson, Artistic Director and Founding Member of Dance Theatre of Harlem, along with the company's Executive Director, Anna Glass, announced today a $10 million gift from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and educator and philanthropist Dan Jewett.

Works & Process, the performing arts series at the Guggenheim, announces two new board members, Virginia Johnson and Isaac Mizrahi.

The Juilliard School today announced that its 116th commencement ceremony will be held in person on Friday, June 18, 2021, at 11am, outdoors on the Lincoln Center campus for a limited audience. The ceremony will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

Alabama-born choreographer Amy Hall Garner is a graduate of Juilliard and has created commissioned works for Ailey II, the Juilliard School and Barnard College, among others. Over the course of her fellowship, she is exploring the ephemerality of flowers in their natural and abstract forms for a production that brings together music, dance, and art with collaborator Jared Small. 

Heading the event will be Grand Marshals  LISA LISA; the Latina Pop Music Legend, Dance Theatre of Harlem founding member and current Artistic Director VIRGINIA JOHNSON; and H.T. CHEN & DIAN DONG, founding directors of Chen Dance Center. 

Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet (MoBBallet) announces the Ballet IS Woman Symposium will take place virtually Saturday, March 7, from 12-4:00 p.m. and will feature two panel discussions: 

Dance Theatre of Harlem announced today a new slate of digital performances as part of its online streaming series, DTH On Demand, and events, including its annual Founders’ Week celebration, throughout February, the nation’s month to officially and proudly honor Black History.

The 36th Annual NY Dance and Performance Awards, The Bessies, reconceived this year to honor all of the 2019/20 nominated artists, took place tonight as a virtual ceremony.

Black Dance Stories announced its dynamic lineup of Black dance creatives for November. Consistent with the tradition of Black artists finding a way for their voices to be heard during turbulent times, the popular series features Black artists who use their work to raise societal issues and strengthen community through art.

Today's top stories: The Actors Fund raised $1.1 million at its first-ever Virtual Gala last night! The event honored Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and more!