The ballerina's career, struggle with polio, and influence on great choreographers.

Tanaquil Le Clercq: Afternoon of a Faun American Masters

Premiered June 20, 2014
Tanaquil Le Clercq: Afternoon of a Faun: asset-mezzanine-16x9
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Tanaquil Le Clercq: Afternoon of a Faun

Tanaquil Le Clercq (1929–2000) was a star ballerina with the New York City Ballet who greatly influenced choreographers George Balanchine (her husband) and Jerome Robbins (her friend). Filmmaker Nancy Buirski spotlights Le Clercq’s ballet career, influence on dance, and her struggle with polio, which paralyzed her at the height of her fame.

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American Masters

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