Calendar – Past Event

Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance tells the story of the first quintessentially American dance company, the Joffrey Ballet. Founders Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino revolutionized American dance by combining modern with traditional ballet to create a new and daring art form. Narrated by Tony and Emmy Award-winner Mandy Patinkin, the 90-minute documentary is the first to chronicle the Joffrey Ballet's pioneering dance philosophy. Award-winning filmmaker Bob Hercules traces the company's struggles and triumphs: from its humble beginnings in 1956, touring the United States in a borrowed station wagon, to becoming one of the world's most exciting and prominent ballet companies.

Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance airs December 28 on PBS' American Masters, which recently won the IDA Continuing Series Award. The film is a production of Lakeview Films, Inc. Bob Hercules is writer and director. Jay Alix and Harold Ramis are executive producers. Una Jackman and Erica Mann Ramis are producers. Michael Swanson and Keith Walker are directors of photography. Melissa Sterne is editor and Mark Bandy is music composer. Susan Lacy is series creator and executive producer of American Masters.