Hightower, Rosella (1920–)

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Hightower, Rosella (1920–)

American ballet dancer and teacher. Born Jan 30, 1920, in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Performed with rival companies in US, switching around frequently; danced with Ballets Russe de Monte Carlo (1938–41), where she was featured in Massine's The New Yorker and Rouge et Noir; joined Ballet The ater (1941) and danced in Swan Lake, Petrouchka, and Princess Aurora; toured with Massine's Ballet Russe Highlights (1945); became principal dancer with Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas (c. 1947–61), her longest engagement with any company, appearing in Persephone and Piège de Lumière, and creating the ballets, Henry VIII (1949), Pleasuredome (1949), Salome (1950) and Scaramouche (1951); formed the Centre de Danse Classique in Cannes, France (1960), where she served as director for over 40 years; also served as artistic director of Marseille Opera Ballet (1969–72) and was appointed director of Paris Opéra (1980).