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The Conversation
The Conversation
Shannon Toll, Associate Professor of Indigenous Literatures, University of Dayton

75 years ago, Maria Tallchief made the ballet world reimagine itself and find a place for a Native American prima ballerina

Maria Tallchief George Balanchine America New York City Ballet the New York City Ballet Native American Marjorie Osage New York Manhattan
Maria Tallchief performing 'Firebird' at the New York City Ballet on Sept. 19, 1963. Jack Mitchell / Archive Photos via Getty Images

On Nov. 27, 1949, prima ballerina Maria Tallchief waited for her cue in the wings of the City Center in downtown Manhattan, preparing to take the stage in the New York City Ballet’s premiere of “Firebird.”

This production was a reimagining of a famous ballet based on a Russian folktale and featured an Osage ballerina who forced the dance world to reimagine who could be one of their biggest stars. In that moment, Tallchief had no idea that she was about to make history, not only for the New York City Ballet, but in her journey toward becoming America’s first prima ballerina.

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