Stravinsky’s Circus Polka had originally been composed in 1942 for the “Ballet of Elephants” that Balanchine choreographed for the circus elephants. Thirty years later, Robbins had the idea for choreograph it as a showpiece for the 1972 Stravinsky Festival using 48 children from SAB rather than elephants.
“The construction was so simple, yet resounding, that you could only laugh in delight at optical illusion and Robbins’ cleverness. Then the kids scampered around—the only moment of chaos—and presto, they arranged themselves so as to spell “I.S.” —Nancy Goldner
(top left) Circus Polka, 1990
(top right) Circus Polka, 1990
(bottom left) Jerome Robbins in rehearsal for Circus Polka, 1972
(bottom right) Balanchine and Robbins oversee a Circus Polka stage rehearsal, 1972
All photos by Martha Swope
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