Gelsey Kirkland

Gelsey Kirkland
Name	Gelsey Kirkland
Birth date	29 December 1952
Birth place	Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Ballet dancer, teacher, author
Years active	1968–present
Spouse	Greg Lawrence (m. 1986)

Gelsey Kirkland. An American ballet dancer renowned for her dramatic intensity, technical precision, and ethereal stage presence, she is considered one of the most gifted ballerinas of the 20th century. Her career, marked by celebrated performances and profound personal struggles, unfolded primarily with two major institutions: New York City Ballet under George Balanchine and American Ballet Theatre under Mikhail Baryshnikov. Kirkland's later work as a teacher and her candid memoirs have solidified her enduring influence on the art form.

Early life and training

Born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of playwright Jack Kirkland. She began her dance training at the School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet, where she was recognized as a prodigy. Her early promise led to her joining the New York City Ballet's corps de ballet in 1968 at the age of 15, quickly catching the eye of the company's legendary co-founder and ballet master, George Balanchine.

Career with New York City Ballet

Under the direct tutelage of George Balanchine, Kirkland rapidly ascended to soloist and then principal dancer, becoming a muse for the choreographer. She originated roles in several of his ballets, including the "Rubies" section of *Jewels* and the ballet *Who Cares?*, set to the music of George Gershwin. Her performances in classics like The Nutcracker and Coppélia were noted for their sparkling technique and musicality. However, her relationship with the demanding Balanchine technique and the aesthetic ideals of the company became increasingly strained, leading to her departure in 1974.

Career with American Ballet Theatre

Seeking roles with greater dramatic depth, she joined the American Ballet Theatre in 1974, where her career reached its zenith. She formed a legendary partnership with defector and superstar Mikhail Baryshnikov, with whom she danced in iconic productions such as Giselle, *Don Quixote*, and *The Sleeping Beauty*. Her interpretation of Giselle, in particular, was hailed for its profound psychological insight and tragic fragility. During this period, she also worked with renowned choreographers including Kenneth MacMillan on his ballet *Romeo and Juliet*.

Later career and teaching

Her performing career was interrupted and ultimately shortened by personal battles, including a well-documented struggle with anorexia nervosa and substance abuse. After a period of rehabilitation, she returned to the stage in the 1980s, performing with companies like the Royal Ballet and staging works for Boston Ballet. She shifted her focus to teaching and coaching, becoming a sought-after master teacher known for her meticulous approach to classical technique and dramatic expression. She has taught at institutions worldwide and co-authored a seminal technical manual, *The Ballet Companion*.

Personal life

She was briefly married to stage director James Cain in the 1970s. In 1986, she married writer Greg Lawrence, with whom she collaborated on her two revealing autobiographies, *Dancing on My Grave* and *The Shape of Love*. These books, published in the 1980s and 1990s, provided an unflinching look at the pressures of the ballet world and her personal struggles, sparking significant controversy and dialogue within the arts community.

Legacy and influence

Her legacy is dual-faceted: she is remembered as one of the supreme American ballerinas, a peer of artists like Patricia McBride and Natalia Makarova, whose performances in the Balanchine repertoire and the great classical story ballets set a benchmark. Equally, her courageous writings shed light on the dark undercurrents of the dance profession, influencing discussions on dancers' health, the ethics of training, and psychological well-being. Her detailed pedagogical work continues to influence new generations of dancers at schools and companies across the globe.

Category:American ballet dancers Category:American women dancers Category:School of American Ballet alumni Category:New York City Ballet principal dancers Category:American Ballet Theatre principal dancers