Agnes de Mille

Agnes de Mille was a pioneering American choreographer and dancer, integral to the development of dance in the United States. She blended theatrical storytelling with ballet and modern dance, making dance a vital part of narrative in performances. De Mille's most famous works, like "Oklahoma!" combined drama and choreography, emphasizing emotional expression and character development through movement. She expanded the possibilities of dance, demonstrating its potential to convey complex ideas and emotions, thus influencing both Broadway and ballet, and contributing significantly to the aesthetics of dance as an expressive and storytelling art form.