ABT family member and dance icon, Frederic Franklin has left an indelible influence on the greater dance world as well as many of ABT’s talented dancers. In recognition of his passion and commitment to dance, ABT has created the Frederic Franklin Scholarship Fund at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (JKO) School. Gifts made in memory of Frederic will directly support the Fund which provides full tuition support for a student in the pre-professional division each year.

Recipients of the Frederic Franklin Scholarship include:

• Theodore Elliman, 2013-2014
• Katherine Hurlin, 2012-2013

For more information about the JKO School and the
Pre-Professional Division

Born in Liverpool, England, in 1914, Franklin began his career in 1931 with Josephine Baker at the Casino de Paris. In England, he appeared with Wendy Toye and Anton Dolin in cabaret, variety, concert ballet, vaudeville, and theatre, and danced with the Vic-Wells (now The Royal) Ballet. In 1935, Franklin joined the Markova-Dolin Ballet. From 1938-1952, he was premier danseur with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo where he performed over 45 principal roles, and was appointed ballet master in 1944. With the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo he created some of ballet's most noteworthy roles, including the Baron in Gaité Parisienne and the Champion Roper in Rodeo. His pairing with ballerina Alexandra Danilova became one of the legendary ballet partnerships of the 20th century.

Following his performing career, Franklin became co-founder of the Slavenska-Franklin Ballet and founding director of the National Ballet in Washington. Having staged works for companies throughout the world, Franklin has also served as artistic advisor to the Dance Theatre of Harlem. For American Ballet Theatre, he staged George Balanchine's Grand Pas Glazunov (pas de dix) (1961), a revival of Coppélia (1997) and Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor (2005). He appeared onstage with ABT as the Charlatan in Petrouchka, Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet, the Tutor in Swan Lake and Madge the Witch in La Sylphide.

Franklin's awards include both the Capezio and Dance Magazine Awards, the Laurence Olivier Award for the Dance Theatre of Harlem's Creole Giselle and a CBE in Queen Elizabeth's 2004 Birthday Honours.

Frederic Franklin in Rodeo.
Photo: Maurice Seymour.

Frederic Franklin. Photo: Roy Round.