Skip to Main Content
American Masters

Tanaquil Le Clercq: Afternoon of a Faun - Trailer

The ballerina's career, struggle with polio, and influence on great choreographers.

06/20/2014 | Rating NR

American Masters

Tanaquil Le Clercq: Afternoon of a Faun - Trailer

Preview: 6/20/2014 | 2m 21s

The ballerina's career, struggle with polio, and influence on great choreographers.

Tanaquil Le Clercq (1929–2000) was a mesmerizing ballerina with the New York City Ballet who greatly influenced choreographers George Balanchine (her husband) and Jerome Robbins (her friend). Filmmaker Nancy Buirski spotlights Le Clercq’s ballet career, influence on dance, and her struggle with polio, which paralyzed her at the height of her fame. The film premieres June 20 at 10 pm on PBS.

06/20/2014 | Rating NR

Problems playing video?   | Closed Captioning Feedback

Report a Problem

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

Problems playing video?   | Closed Captioning Feedback

Report a Problem

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

Support provided by:

AARP

Tanaquil Le Clercq in Jerome Robbins' Afternoon of a Faun

Clip: 6/20/2014 | 1m 35s | Watch an excerpt of Le Clercq and partner performing Jerome Robbin's love pas de deux. (1m 35s)

Western Symphony: One of Tanaquil Le Clercq's Last Dances

Clip: 6/20/2014 | 56s | Watch a clip of Le Clercq in Western Symphony, one of the last ballets she performed in. (56s)

Polio and Iron Lungs in the 1950s. Le Clercq's Illness.

Clip: 6/20/2014 | 1m 42s | An iron lung allowed Tanaquil Le Clercq to breathe after she contracted polio in 1956. (1m 42s)

Tanaquil Le Clercq, the Ideal Balanchine Dancer

Clip: 6/20/2014 | 1m 7s | Le Clercq was one of Balanchine's muses and her body and style became an ideal in ballet. (1m 7s)

Providing Support for PBS.org

Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship

Support for PBS provided by:

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

Sign in with Email

or

Continue with GoogleContinue with FacebookContinue with Apple

By creating an account, you acknowledge that PBS may share your information with our member stations and our respective service providers, and that you have read and understand the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Are you sure you want to remove null from My List?