Words On Dance: Edward Villella

The San Francisco–based Words On Dance interview series returns to New York in this newest collaboration with the Paley Center. 

Join us for an evening of conversation and television and film clips as the legendary dancer and artistic director Edward Villella talks about his extraordinary and unique career. In 1957, Villella joined the corps de ballet of Balanchine's New York City Ballet at the age of 21, and weeks later was cast as the star of Jerome Robbins's Afternoon of a Faun—subsequently going on to have unparalleled success in a series of classic Balanchine ballets including Prodigal Son, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Jewels, and Apollo. After retiring from the stage Villella segued into the role of Artistic Director. In 1986, Villella founded the Miami City Ballet, and led it to international success for over twenty-five years. Among his distinguished honors are the 1997 Kennedy Center Honor, and the National Medal of Arts, the 38th annual Capezio Dance Award, and the National Society of Arts & Letters Award for Lifetime Achievement.

The interview will be conducted by his daughter Crista Villella (the ballet mistress of Miami City Ballet) and clips from Mr. Villella's career will be shown, including rare film footage from private collections.