Cedric Rouse

Pacific Northwest Ballet (ca. 1989-1991)
Dance Theatre of Harlem (1991-?)
Maryland Ballet: Guest (1992)

Atlanta native Cedric Rouse was born an only child ca. 1969 to Gloria McConnell, a secretary. Rouse first trained at Georgia State University and with Patsy Bromley at Terpsichore Expressions alongside Albert Evans. He then began studying as a scholarship student at School of American Ballet in 1988. During his time at SAB, the young dancer was called “highly promising” in a review of Joseph Duell’s Jubilee!, in which Rouse performed a lead role. After an SAB workshop performance, Rouse was asked to join Chicago Ballet, an offer which he declined with the hope that New York City Ballet would later hire him.

Rouse joined Pacific Northwest Ballet ca. 1989 and two years later transitioned to a career with New York’s Dance Theatre of Harlem. As a member of the company, Rouse was a featured dancer in the DTH premieres of Alvin Ailey’s The River (1993), Alonzo King’s Ground (1996), Robert Garland’s Crossing Over (1997), Vincent Sekwati Mantsoe’s Sasanka (1997), and John Alleyne’s Adrian (Angel on Earth) (1997), in which he played the Angel. In a 1997 review of the latter piece, Rouse wowed audiences, with The Berkshire Eagle saying, “From the moment that Cedric Rouse dances the opening steps… it is clear that Dance Theatre of Harlem is better than ever.” For the same role, The Detroit Free Press called Rouse “beguiling” in his “wonderfully understated performance.”

Rouse also appeared in the Arabian duet of The Nutcracker with Maryland Ballet in 1992. 

Sources:

Refined zest: only the second African American principal in New York City Ballet history, Albert Evans brings an extra dedication to his coolly contained dancing, Dance Magazine
Repertory List: Dance Theatre of Harlem, Columbia University Libraries
‘Nutcracker’ is in fine form, NY Daily News
Dance Theatre of Harlem Both Primal and Refined, Hartford Courant
School of American Ballet workshop performance
Dance, The Atlanta Constitution
Dance Review, The Record
Terpsichore alums leap to new heights of acclaim, The Atlanta Constitution
Pay Their Dues to Dance, The Atlanta Constitution
A dance company at its pearl form, The Berkshire Eagle
Dancers aim high, succeed, Detroit Free Press
The Pride of Harlem / Dance company’s glowing ‘Sasanka’ imparts a sense of community, SF Gate