I don’t know about you guys, but my entire social media feed has been filled with ballerina content, ranging from how different ballerinas prepare their pointe shoes, to the art itself. After many hours down this rabbit hole, I discovered a term called “Prima Ballerina Assoluta”. I was intrigued, and upon doing my research, I found Elizabeth Marie Tallchief, known as Maria Tallchief, America’s First Prima Ballerina. What made her stand out was not that she was the first, but rather the first Native individual to hold the title.
What is a Prima Ballerina Assoluta?
A Prima Ballerina Assoluta is a title only bestowed on the most notable female ballet dancer of their generation. It is an extremely rare honour and not commonly seen today. The title is given to those ballerinas who are considered to have a talent well above the standard of all other leading ballerinas. There is no formal process for naming someone a Prima Ballerina, as sometimes it is bestowed by a company, while other ballerinas have had the title bestowed on them by governments or heads of state.
Maria Tallchief in her Early Life
She initially joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo company as an apprentice but was soon offered a place after another dancer left. In her early career, she often studied other experienced dancers and practiced every moment she could, highlighting her dedication to ballet and performing. When she met George Balanchine in 1944, her career changed for the better.
Maria and George
When a production that George Balanchine was working on became a success, the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo hired him for the rest of the season. He casted Maria in important roles within the productions he worked on, and they both grew fond of each other. He convinced her to relearn the ballet basics in the way he wanted, and she claims that her body went through a metamorphosis due to this. Her weaknesses became her strengths, and George continued to create roles for Maria that required aggressiveness, athleticism, and speed. She was perfectly suited for George’s vision, and in 1949, he created “The Firebird” lead for her, which granted her the Prima Ballerina title.
Concluding Remarks
Maria was well known for her energy, speed, and exhilarating passion. She had a great technical ability that combined her incredibly precise footwork with her athleticism. She fought her way in the industry and maintained a close connection to her Native roots. She refused to change her last name, spoke out against Native American stereotypes and misconceptions, and was involved in Native Committees. One thing she maintained throughout her life was that she was a Prima Ballerina who happened to be Native American and that her abilities should be judged on her dance alone.
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