The Joffrey Ballet

April 24, 2006 – Decade-by-decade, through hundreds of rarely seen archival photos and revealing behind-the-scenes commentary, The Joffrey Ballet’s rich 50-year history comes alive in a stunning new limited edition commemorative book, The Joffrey Ballet: An American Classic. The 160-page hardcover coffee table tome is produced by The Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet, in collaboration with InnerWorkings, a Chicago-based print management firm, and will be officially released Tuesday, May 16, 2006.

The Joffrey Ballet: An American Classic showcases the world-renowned ballet company from its humble beginnings in New York in the mid-50s through its triumphant performances at the White House, in communist Russia, throughout the country, and in its current home of Chicago. A wealth of black & white and color photographs by longtime Joffrey Ballet design director Herbert Migdoll, Joffrey Board Member Barbara Levy Kipper, and renowned dance photographer Jack Mitchell, document staged performances, studio rehearsals and personal moments, capturing the company throughout its phenomenal growth. Accompanying the lush photographs are introductory essays showcasing The Joffrey’s developments decade-by-decade. Plus, a complete chronological listing of the more than 250 works in the company’s repertoire, including choreographer, music and dancer credits, provides valuable historical perspective.

“We think this book is a treasure for anyone who has experienced The Joffrey over the past five decades and anyone who loves and appreciates the art of dance,” said Women’s Board Member and Commemorative Book Co-Chair Kathleen Klaeser. “The Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet is proud to honor and pay tribute to Robert Joffrey, Gerald Arpino and all of the talented dancers and creative staff over the years through the publication of this special book.”

Added fellow Women’s Board Member and Book Co-Chair Kim White, “Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino brought the world of dance to a large and diverse audience. They played for heads of state in the White House and played to auditoriums in Middle America. They paid tribute to the great ballets of the past and commissioned the works of modern choreographers. They integrated the artistic talents of Picasso and Prince and endeared themselves forever in our hearts for their innovation and courage. We hope these pictures help tell this wonderful story.”

The Women’s Board of The Joffrey Ballet, led by Chairman Emeritus Maureen Dwyer Smith and current Board President Helen Melchior, is the largest source of contributed revenue for The Joffrey and has raised over $1 million annually in recent years. In addition to production of The Joffrey Ballet: An American Classic, The Women’s Board is also hosting a major black-tie Gala reuniting past members of The Joffrey Ballet, as part of the company’s Come Dance with Us 50th Anniversary public celebration in Millennium Park, June 13-18.

Chicago-based privately-held InnerWorkings is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing enterprise print management and business process outsourcing firms. Founded in late 2001, the company provides services to more than 1,200 large and middle market companies, ad agencies, publishers, manufacturers and trade associations. With a network of more than 2,100 suppliers, the firm’s vast buying power, proprietary technology, systems and customer service expertise allows for efficient procurement of almost every category of print.

The Joffrey Ballet: An American Classic is priced at $50 ($75 for encased commemorative edition featuring embossed slipcover). Published in a limited run of 3,500 copies, it will be available for purchase beginning Tuesday, May 16, at The Joffrey Ballet offices, 70 E. Lake Street, by mail order, or on-line at www.joffrey.com. Proceeds from book sales benefit on-going operating activities and support The Joffrey’s mission of commissioning new works by American artists and restoring classic masterpieces.

A public panel discussion with members of The Joffrey creative team, followed by a book signing, is scheduled for Thursday, June 15, at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street.

For more information about The Joffrey Ballet: An American Classic, the book signing, or other Joffrey Ballet 50th Anniversary programming, please call 312.739.0120 or visit www.joffrey.com.

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