Lorraine Graves, a renowned ballerina with Dance Theater of Harlem, passed away at the age of 66 in Norfolk, Va. She was known for her exceptional height of 5-foot-10 ½, which was a rarity in the world of ballet. Despite facing challenges with finding taller partners, Graves showcased her unique physicality and powerful dancing skills on stages around the world, performing for leaders like Mikhail Gorbachev and Nelson Mandela. The Dance Theater of Harlem was founded in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and aimed to highlight African American excellence in a primarily European art form.
Graves joined the company in 1978 and quickly became a principal dancer, standing out for her commanding presence and magnificent jump. She helped pave the way for other Black ballerinas to pursue classical ballet by showcasing her talents in productions that reimagined traditional ballets on the company’s own terms. A standout role for Graves was as the Queen of the Wilis in the Dance Theater of Harlem’s production of “Giselle,” set in the American South. Her performances as the Princess of Unreal Beauty in Stravinsky’s “Firebird” and in Balanchine’s “The Four Temperaments” earned critical acclaim and solidified her status as a leading dancer.
Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Graves began ballet at a young age and became the first African American student at a prestigious local academy. Her single-minded dedication to ballet propelled her to rise quickly in the dancing world, eventually joining Dance Theater of Harlem and becoming a principal dancer within a year. She also served as the company’s ballet mistress, showcasing her meticulous attention to detail and strong leadership skills. Graves retired from dancing in 1996 due to a lupus diagnosis but continued to teach ballet for many years, including a 20-year tenure at the Governor’s School for the Arts in Virginia.
Graves’ impact on the ballet world was profound, as she inspired generations of dancers and broke down barriers by showcasing the talents of African American dancers. She was known for her photographic memory and ability to guide dancers in intricate details of performances. Graves’ legacy lives on through the countless students she taught and mentored, as well as through her groundbreaking performances with the Dance Theater of Harlem. Her trip to Russia in 2012 to teach ballet was a testament to her pioneering spirit and determination to share her love of dance with others. Through her dedication and talent, Lorraine Graves made a lasting impact on the world of ballet and will be remembered for her contributions to the art form.
