“Norfolk’s Ballerina Belonged To The World”

Lorraine Graves: 1957-2024

By Leonard E. Colvin
Chief Reporter Emeritus
New Journal and Guide

Lorraine Graves, 66, who made her mark as an international professional dancer, notably with the Dance Theater of Harlem (DTH), died on March 21.

A native of Norfolk, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mildred Graves, founders of the Graves Funeral Home.

She began her classical ballet training at 8 1/2 under the direction of the late Gene Hammett at the Academy of the Norfolk Ballet, where she was the first African-American student to be accepted into that school.

Three years later, she is pictured in a July 6, 1968 edition of the GUIDE with six other students from the Academy and members of the Norfolk Civic Ballet, who would perform in the Norfolk Arts Festival July 5-7.

In a May 1, 2002 edition of the GUIDE written by this Reporter, Graves said the Board of the Norfolk Civic Ballet said she cou

ld not perform with the white girls in her first recital at one point in the late 1960s. She recalled that Mr. Hammett rebelled against the Board’s orders, and she was allowed to perform.

At age 17 and graduating with honors in 1975 from Lake Taylor, the GUIDE featured her in the article “I Enjoy Dancing: Hyperactive Child Takes To Ballet” by Margaret German, the Entertainment Editor.

“It all started with an eight-year-old hyperactive whose mother wanted to put all that energy to good use. The mother struck upon the idea of ballet lessons.”

Graves said she recalled her mother sitting her down and “asking me if I was interested. I thought about it and then said yes. She told me it would not be something I would start today and drop tomorrow.”

After high school, she was later awarded a full scholarships to the School of American Ballet and the American Ballet Center.

She attended Indiana University, where she continued her dance training and completed a four-year program in three years, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ballet with Distinction.

Lorraine Graves began her professional career with the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH). It was co-founded by the late Arthur Mitchell and   Karel Shook in 1968.

She rose to Principal Dancer within one year. Three years later, she was given the additional duties as Ballet Mistress and later, ‘Regisseuse’ responsible for the works of such renowned choreographers as the late Glen Tetley, Michael Smuin, and Billy Wilson, as well as Arthur Mitchell and Alonzo King, the stagings of the classics by Frederic Franklin, and the Balanchine Repertoire.

Graves’ performance credits with the Dance Theatre of Harlem include: Creole Giselle (Myrta); Firebird (The Princess of Unreal Beauty); Garth Fagan’s, (Footprints Dressed in Red); Alvin Ailey’s, (The River); among a lengthy and exalted list.

She was popular among news reporters who featured her on 60 Minutes with Ed Bradley; at the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California; Peter Jennings Reports (A Special on the Dance Theatre of Harlem); and the Public Broadcasting System (PBS).

During her career with the DTH,  Graves performed for American Presidents Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and George H. Bush.

Also, the late Michael Jackson; Prince; the late Princess Diana and Princess Margaret; the King of Norway; former Soviet leader, Mikail and Mrs. Gorbechev; Opera Divas: Leontyne Price and Jessye Norman; and the late President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

Graves appeared with major symphony orchestras around the country, and she was also an educator at schools of the arts in a number of states to include North Carolina, Virginia, Washington,  Oklahoma and New York.

In 1996, after a 17-year career with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Graves returned to Norfolk, where she joined her family’s business, Graves Funeral Home, Incorporated, now in its 71st year.

Lupus impaired her health, but she continued to inspire.

She continued to teach and coach as a permanent Guest Teacher with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre; was an original faculty member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s/Kennedy Center’s Educational Pre-Professional Training Program for 20 years; among a score of other schools.

In 2012, Ms. Graves received the Performing Arts Award from the Historic Attucks Theatre for her contributions to the Arts in the community. In January 2016, Ms. Graves became the 5th recipient of the Virginia Symphony’s “I Have A Dreamer Award.” In April of 2017, Ms. Graves was honored by the Norfolk Education Foundation as an Alumni of the Norfolk Public Schools. These awards from her hometown were among the hundreds she received around the world during her illustrious career.