Clark Center NYC and From the Horse’s Mouth celebrate The Swans of Harlem

Clark Center NYC and dance project From the Horse’s Mouth will present From the Horse’s Mouth: The Swans of Harlem from Oct. 14–18, 2026, at the Theater at the 14th Street Y in New York City. The multi-day event honors five pioneering Black ballerinas from the formative years of Arthur Mitchell’s Dance Theatre of Harlem.

The main tribute performances combine personal storytelling, dance, and archival material to examine the careers and history of the dancers. Cast members include surviving ballerinas Marcia Sells, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton-Benjamin, and Lydia Abarca Mitchell, alongside former Dance Theatre of Harlem dancers, colleagues, and collaborators, with tribute recognition for the late Gayle McKinney-Griffith.

Programming opens on Wednesday, Oct. 14, with a free ballet master class taught by Theara Ward, followed by a panel discussion with the ballerinas and author Karen Valby, whose book The Swans of Harlem chronicles their careers. Mainstage theatrical performances take place Friday, Oct. 16, at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3:00 p.m.

General admission tickets for the performance series are $25, with $20 discounted tickets available for seniors and students. The introductory master class and panel conversation on Oct. 14 are free to attend, though advance registration is requested through the event ticketing portal.

Clark Center NYC produces legacy programming dedicated to preserving the history of the Clark Center for the Performing Arts. From the Horse’s Mouth develops specialized theater and dance productions created to document and share the personal histories of performing artists.

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