Raven Wilkinson and Oleg Briansky

Oleg Briansky formed a company, The Briansky Company, in order to participate in a Title III program, a program with the purpose to expose Americans to the arts to gain support for government-subsidized programs. Wilkinson, along with Yvonne McDowell from Joffrey II and Charles Neal of the New York Negro Ballet went to audition together, and only Wilkinson was hired in 1964. The Briansky Company performed material such as lecture demonstrations and pas de deux and often appeared in schools, museums, and community centers. When visiting a new location, they were often hosted in the homes of community locals.

 

 

 

Sources: 

Black Ballerinas Dancing on the Edge: An Analysis of the Cultural Politics in Delores Browne’s and Raven Wilkinson’s Careers, Joselli Deans
Photo: Marquette University Archives

 

More about Oleg Briansky:

Oleg Briansky was a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and artistic director. He was born to Russian parents in Brussels on November 9, 1929. Briansky made his professional debut in Brussels in 1945, and joined the Ballets des Champs-Elysées in Paris 1946. Additionally, he has performed as a principal dancer at the London Festival Ballet, the New York Metropolitan Ballet, the Munich Opera Ballet, the Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires, the Royal Opera House in Antwerp, and the Chicago Opera Ballet. 

 

 

Sources:

Oleg Briansky and Mireille Briane Collection, New York Public Library
Photo: Dance Informa, Oleg Briansky and Mireille Briane Relationship Goals

 

Thandi Steele