First Negro Classical Ballet and Shirley Vargas

Shirley Vargas danced for the First Negro Classical Ballet in supporting roles to premier dancers in the company such as Graham Johnson, Bernice Harrison, Theodore Crum, and Yvonne Miller. Vargas was noted as a part of the supporting cast who had “danced their respective parts with an air of cooperative enthusiasm that recalled the mutual give and take of all ballet dancers.” 

More about Shirley Vargas

Vargas is one of three dancers in the company with Hispanic surnames and also danced under the name “Shirley Valdez”. It is unknown if Vargas was Hispanic herself.

Sources: 

First Negro Classic Ballet Huge Success, Los Angeles Sentinel 
Ballet to be Repeated Fri. Sat. by Demand, Los Angeles Sentinel

Nicole Toney