AGNES DE MILLE (1957, 1977) Photo archive

[New York]: Lincoln Center / Omnibus, 1957, 1977. Group of seven vintage original mostly 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm) black-and-white glossy silver gelatin print still photos. Original ink stamps and attached text blurb on verso, minor use for publication. Fine.

Agnes de Mille (1905-1993) was an important and influential choreographer, director and dancer who helped transform the American musical theater of the 1940s and 50s. Daughter to William and niece to Cecil, she was born into show business. She began her American career with New York ballet in 1939 and moved on to Broadway by 1943 when she did her best-known work for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! Her work from there is now legendary.

De Mille is featured with dancers rehearsing her ballets for television productions in the mid-1950s, and on stage for a 1977 revival of Oklahoma! Photos include her working with dancers of American Ballet Theatre for a 1957 performance; photos by Roy Stevens for an Omnibus TV presentation in 1957; and for a 1956 TV performance of her show Bloomer Girl.