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Jerome Robbins

Profile

Jerome Robbins (1918-1998) was a powerhouse of the 20th-century American stage culture, famous for his presentation of contemporary American themes in his ballets and Broadway plays. A bit of a Jack of all trades, he worked as a dancer, choreographer, film director, theatre director and producer, in classical ballet, on stage, film, and television.  


Though his student life began with a year of studying Chemistry, he promptly dropped out to pursue his passion for dancing. Within a few years, he joined the prestigious Ballet Theatre (now American Ballet Theatre) where he jumpstarted a successful career, first as a dancer and then moving to the backside of the craft as a choreographer.  

Awards

1948 Tony Awards Best Choreography for High Button Shoes

1955 Emmy Award for Best Choreographer for Peter Pan (televised)

1958 Tony Award for Best Choreography for West Side Story

1961 Academy Award for Best Director with Robert Wise for West Side Story

1961 Academy Honorary Award for his choreographic achievements on film  

1961 Laurel Award, Writer's Guild of America for West Side Story (film)

1965 Tony Award for Best Choreography for Fiddler on the Roof

1965 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Fiddler on the Roof

1979 Induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame

1981 Kennedy Center Honors

1988 National Medal of Arts

1985 Honorary Membership in the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters

1993 Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur

Past events

  1. 2025

    Other Dances

    Ted Brandsen, Hans van Manen, David Dawson, Alexei Ratmansky, Jerome Robbins, Het Nationale Ballet

    dance | Nationale Opera & Ballet

  2. 2013

    West Side Story

    Radio Filharmonisch Orkest

    multidisciplinary | Koninklijk Theater Carré

  3. 2006

    His Master’s Choice

    Het Nationale Ballet

    dance | Het Muziektheater Amsterdam

  4. 1960

    Chopin Concerto e.a.

    American Ballet Theatre

    dance | Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Den Haag

  5. 1958

    Paean e.a.

    American Ballet Theatre

    dance | Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Den Haag

  6. 1955

    Bourrée Fantasque e.a.

    New York City Ballet

    dance | Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Den Haag

  7. Le lac des cygnes / The Cage / L’Apres-midi d’un Faune / Symphony in C

    New York City Ballet

    dance | Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam

  8. Le lac des cygnes / The Cage / Pas de Trois / Western Symphony

    New York City Ballet

    dance | Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam

  9. Serenade / Scotch Symphony / L'Apres-midi d'un Faune

    New York City Ballet

    dance | Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Den Haag

  10. The Duel / Scotch Symphony / The Cage

    New York City Ballet

    dance | Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam

  11. The Duel e.a.

    New York City Ballet

    dance | Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Den Haag

  12. The Duel e.a.

    New York City Ballet

    dance | Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Den Haag

  13. 1952

    Caracole e.a.

    New York City Ballet

    dance | Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Den Haag

  14. Four Temperaments / Age of Anxiety / Silvia, Symphonie in C

    New York City Ballet

    dance | Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Den Haag

  15. Serenade / Firebird / Pas de trois

    New York City Ballet

    dance | Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Den Haag

  16. Serenade / Lilac Garden

    New York City Ballet

    dance | Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen Den Haag