Fallis, Barbara (1924–1980)

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Fallis, Barbara (1924–1980)

American ballet dancer. Born 1924 in Denver, Colorado; died 1980 in New York, NY; m. Richard Thomas (dancer and teacher).

Trained at Vic-Wells Ballet in London, performed with that company thereafter (1938–40); joined Ballet Theater in New York City where she danced for 8 years in such productions as Frederick Ashton's Les Patineurs, Antony Tudor's Shadow of the Wind and David Lichine's Helen of Troy; created feature role for Balanchine's Waltz Academy (1944); danced a season with Ballet Alicia Alonso where she performed in repertory of 19th-century works; with New York City Ballet, was featured in Balanchine's Valse Fantasie (1953) and Pas de Dix (1955), among others; taught with husband Richard Thomas at New York School of Ballet until her death.