Chicago City Ballet Records, 1924-2001

Gift, Chicago City Ballet, 1988; Janis Sonnenberg, 1989.

The Chicago City Ballet Records are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

The Chicago City Ballet Records are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

Chicago City Ballet Records, The Newberry Library, Chicago.

Mary Krones DiMaggio, 2007; Catherine Grandgeorge, 2016.

Resident ballet company in Chicago from 1980-1987, formed by Maria Tallchief.

Tallchief, a former prima ballerina under (and former wife of) George Balanchine, directed a ballet and school to support the Lyric Opera from 1974-1979. When funding was cut, she founded the Chicago City Ballet as an independent organization in January 1980 with funding from her husband Henry Paschen. During the company’s brief history, it performed at the Auditorium Theatre, Chicago Theatre, Grant Park, and other venues throughout the Chicago area. The company also toured throughout the United States, and in 1983 embarked on a European World Tour.

The early repertoire consisted exclusively of Balanchine works until 1982, when Paul Mejia joined the company as Co-Artistic Director, adding several of his works to the company’s repertoire. Among those, Cinderella became a Thanksgiving holiday tradition. The affiliated Chicago City Ballet School was directed by Marjorie Tallchief Skibine, Maria’s younger sister, and many students performed alongside the ballet company in its production of Cinderella.

A severe split in the board of directors of the company and financial issues resulted in the hiring of a single artistic director, Daniel Duell, in 1987. By the end of 1987, the Chicago City Ballet officially dissolved. The affiliated school continued to operate until closing in 1993.

Administrative, promotional, and audiovisual records of the Chicago City Ballet, primarily from 1980-1987. Materials from the late 1970s are mostly about the Lyric Opera Ballet, Maria Tallchief’s company before the Chicago City Ballet. Administrative and financial records show the day to day operations of the company. Promotional materials such as clippings, programs, biographies, and press releases outline the history of the company, its dancers, and productions. Photographs, musical scores, and audiovisual materials document the rehearsals and performances of the company.

For related materials, see the Chicago City Ballet School Records, 1980-1994, Dance MS CCB School.

Papers are organized in the following series:

Series 1: Administrative, 1980-1988 Boxes 1-9 Series 2: Promotion, 1978-2001, bulk 1980-1987 Boxes 10-17, oversize folder Series 3: Photographs, approximately 1980-1987 Boxes 18-22 Series 4: Music, 1924-1964, undated Box 22 Series 5: Audiovisual, 1977-1987 Boxes 23-24 Series 6: Artifact 1 chair

• Names
  • Balanchine, George
  • Lyric Opera of Chicago
  • Mejia, Paul
  • Tallchief, Maria
• Subject
  • Ballet
  • Ballet companies -- Illinois -- Chicago
  • Ballet dancers -- Illinois -- Chicago
  • Chicago
  • Clubs and Organizations
  • Dance
  • Manuscripts, American -- Illinois -- Chicago