Crosscut Now
Jun. 27, 2023 - Syvilla Fort's influence on dance
6/27/2023 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
Syvilla Fort influenced generations of dancers.
Syvilla Fort influenced generations of dancers.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS
Crosscut Now
Jun. 27, 2023 - Syvilla Fort's influence on dance
6/27/2023 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
Syvilla Fort influenced generations of dancers.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(dramatic music) - I'm Paris Jackson in the "Crosscut" KCTS 9 newsroom.
Syvilla Fort is a Black dancer, choreographer, and teacher who influenced generations of dancers in Seattle and across the nation.
Born in Seattle in 1917, Fort grew up obsessed with ballet and started dancing at age three.
(light music continues) In the early 1930s, Fort's mother, Mildred, worked as a housekeeper and cook for Nellie Cornish, founder of what we now call Cornish College of the Arts.
Cornish saw Fort's immense talent and gave her a full scholarship.
Fort later went on to train Hollywood stars Eartha Kitt, James Dean, and Marlon Brando.
In its second season, "Crosscut's Black Arts Legacies," a digital archive, explores the genius of Black Seattle artists like Fort and present-day creatives.
The complete video series is now fully available online, along with written profiles.
To read more about Fort and the 14 other extraordinary artists and arts organizations, go to BlackArtsLegacies.com.
(light music continues) I'm Paris Jackson.
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