Cleo Parker Robinson
Born (1948-07-17) July 17, 1948 (age 75)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materThe University of Denver
OccupationModern dance choreographer
WebsiteCleoParkerDance.org

Cleo Parker Robinson (born July 17, 1948 in Denver, Colorado) is an American dancer and choreographer. She is most known for being the founder, namesake and executive creative director of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 1989,[1] and named to the National Council on the Arts by President Bill Clinton in 1999.[2] In 2005 she also received a Kennedy Center Medal of Honor during the Center's "Masters of African American Choreographers" series.[3]

Early life

Parker Robinson is the daughter of an African-American actor and a white musician. She faced extreme prejudice while growing up in 1950s Denver.[4] At the age of 10 she nearly died in Dallas when a segregated hospital refused to admit her for a kidney condition quickly enough to prevent heart failure. Doctors expected her to be bedridden the rest of her life. She overcame the condition and threw herself into dancing in order to overcome the pain from the physical condition and emotional challenges of dealing with racism.[5] By age 15 she was already teaching University level dance classes at the University of Colorado.[6] She graduated from Colorado Women's College, now a part of the University of Denver.[7]

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble

She is most noted for founding the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble in 1970.[8] The ensemble is widely respected and recognized. It has toured internationally, performed at the Lincoln Center and received coverage and positive reviews from the New York Times,[9] Washington Post,[10][11] and LA Times[12] Representative Mark Udall gave tribute to the ensemble on the floor of the US House of Representatives in 2005 to honor its 35th anniversary.[13]

Notable performers with the ensemble have included Nejla Y. Yatkin, Cornelius Carter, Germaul Barnes and Leni Williams.[14][1][2][3][4] They have also worked with costume designer Mary Jane Marcasiano.[15]

One of her more notable artistic creations is "Lush Life," a jazz, poetry and dance collaboration she created together with Maya Angelou.[16][17]

Awards

Cleo Parker Robinson's awards include:[18][19]

References

  1. ^ "Cleo Parker Robinson – Colorado Women's Hall of Fame". Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2017.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Martin Luther King Tribute". Westword. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  4. ^ Ritzel, Rebecca (March 13, 2016). "Some solid moves from Cleo Parker Robinson Dance". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  5. ^ "Cleo Parker Robinson | The HistoryMakers". www.thehistorymakers.com. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  6. ^ Feinstein, Lois. "Cleo Parker Robinson". denverwoman.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  7. ^ "Cleo Parker Robinson's Biography".
  8. ^ Ritzel, Rebecca (March 13, 2016). "Some solid moves from Cleo Parker Robinson Dance". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  9. ^ Seibert, Brian (August 13, 2012). "Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble at Lincoln Center". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  10. ^ Ritzel, Rebecca (March 13, 2016). "Some solid moves from Cleo Parker Robinson Dance". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  11. ^ "Cleo Parker Robinson Dance in 'Move: from the inside out'". Washington Post. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  12. ^ VOGT, KATHERINE (October 29, 2000). "In Step With 'Divine Destiny'". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  13. ^ Congressional Record, V. 151, Pt. 15, September 8 to September 22, 2005. Government Printing Office.
  14. ^ "Leni Wylliams, 35, Dancer and teacher". The New York Times. September 29, 1996. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  15. ^ "CFDA".
  16. ^ "Denver dance legend Cleo Parker Robinson, Maya Angelou had long ties – The Denver Post". May 28, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  17. ^ "Denver choreographer recalls dancing with Maya Angelou". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  18. ^ "Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble About Us". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  19. ^ "Cleo Parker Robinson, 2017 Dance/USA Honoree". May 14, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  20. ^ "Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame Inductees". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  21. ^ "Honorary Degree awarded to Cleo Parker Robinson". June 24, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  22. ^ "Cleo Parker Robinson". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  23. ^ "Tourism Hall of Fame 2011 Inductees". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  24. ^ "Honorary Degree awarded to Cleo Parker Robinson". December 6, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2022.

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