By Dr. Carl Mack
Janet Collins was born on March 7, 1917, in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1941, she performed with The Katherine Dunham Company, a new but world-renowned Black dance troupe formed and directed by the great Katherine Dunham.
At the age of fifteen, Collins successfully auditioned for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo at the Philharmonic. However, Collins was told she would have to paint her face white to perform. This was yet another example of an opportunity being denied, not because of the content of her character. Of course, she declined the offer! After telling her aunt about what happened, she was advised, “You get back to the barre and start your exercises. Don’t try to be good, be excellent.”
As a prima ballerina, on this day in 1951, Janet Collins became the first Black ballerina ever to perform on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in “Aida!” Starring in the 1951 production of Cole Porter’s “Out of This World,” Collins won the Donaldson Award, which recognizes the best dancer on Broadway. She remained with the Met until 1954, dancing in “Carmen,” “Aida,” “La Gioconda,” and “Samson and Delilah.” After touring with the Met, Collins toured the United States and Canada in solo dance concerts.
Having taught at several colleges and dance institutions in New York and California, upon her retirement, Collins resided in Seattle. The Great Ballerina, Janet Collins, performed her eternal pirouette on May 28, 2003.
This article is brought to you courtesy of Black Heritage Day V – the most comprehensive Black History Calendar ever! Edition V is an all women’s edition available at blackheritagedays.com
