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Lucille Lortel: The Matriarch of Off-Broadway Theater and the American Ballet Theatre

Chandler Ward

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Published in Bravura : Lucia Chase And The American Ballet Theatre

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Lucille Lortel was a pioneering force in the American theater world. She was a producer, director, and theater owner who was instrumental in the development of Off-Broadway theater.

Early Life and Career

Lortel was born in New York City in 1902. She began her career in the theater as an actress, but she quickly realized that her true passion was for producing and directing.

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In 1948, she founded the Circle in the Square Theatre, which was one of the first Off-Broadway theaters. The Circle in the Square was dedicated to producing new plays by American playwrights, and it quickly became one of the most respected theaters in New York City.

Over the years, Lortel produced and directed dozens of plays, including some of the most important works of the American theater. She was also a strong supporter of new playwrights, and she helped to launch the careers of many of the most successful playwrights of her generation.

The American Ballet Theatre

In addition to her work in the theater, Lortel was also a major force in the development of the American Ballet Theatre (ABT).

Lortel was a founding member of the ABT in 1940, and she served as its president from 1948 to 1972. During her tenure as president, she helped to build the ABT into one of the world's leading ballet companies.

Lortel was a passionate advocate for the ABT, and she worked tirelessly to ensure its success. She was also a close friend and mentor to many of the ABT's dancers, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Natalia Makarova, and Anthony Dowell.

Legacy

Lucille Lortel died in 1992, but her legacy continues to live on. The Circle in the Square Theatre is still one of the most respected theaters in New York City, and the ABT is one of the world's leading ballet companies.

Lortel was a true pioneer in the American theater world, and her contributions to the theater and the ABT will never be forgotten.

Lucille Lortel, The Matriarch Of Off Broadway Theater And The American Ballet Theatre Bravura : Lucia Chase And The American Ballet Theatre