Dancing Past the Light

“Protopopescu has told the story of Le Clercq with grace, weaving in the background of some of the most influential people in her life, all of whom are worthy to have their own stories told. Protopopescu allows the reader to peer through a keyhole into Le Clercq’s world, a place that few of us were privileged to be.”—Jacques d’Amboise, New York City Ballet principal dancer and author of I Was a Dancer

“Protopopescu has interviewed a number of Le Clercq’s friends, fellow dancers, colleagues, and students, including several from the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and from these many voices has woven together the picture of a multifaceted woman whose long life was ultimately defined by the tragic ending of her dancing career when she developed polio. A welcome addition to the literature on the early years of the New York City Ballet.”—Lynn Garafola, author of Legacies of Twentieth-Century Dance

“Richly filled with insider information about the world of classical ballet, Dancing Past the Light tells the poignant and inspiring story of how the noted ballerina, paralyzed in mid-career, lived a full life. Her story also provides new insight into the artistic contributions of George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, giants of twentieth-century ballet choreography.”—Nancy Reynolds, coauthor of No Fixed Points: Dance in the Twentieth Century

“What makes Dancing Past the Light so universally relevant is Protopopescu’s re-creation of a complex, creative woman in all her paradoxes and facets. Le Clercq’s life was dominated by artistic geniuses—as well as a formidable mother—but her determination to be her own person could not be vanquished.”—Joel Lobenthal, author of Wilde Times: Patricia Wilde, George Balanchine, and the Rise of New York City Ballet

“Dancing Past the Light is absolutely fascinating, packed with remarkable details and photos I’ve never seen before, and very well written. It does great justice to Le Clercq and all the people who were part of her life.”—Stephanie White, former soloist, Grand Ballet Classique de France

“Through Protopopescu’s writing, one understands why Le Clercq became representative of the ideal Balanchine dancer. The story of Le Clercq’s life after her illness is equally enthralling. Reading Dancing Past the Light, one becomes thoroughly acquainted with the person within this amazing artist.”—Laura Smeak, former soloist, Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève

“Protopopescu tells this story in a way that allows you to feel ‘Tanny’s’ stellar qualities, as both a dancer and a person.”—Wendy Perron, former editor-in-chief of Dance Magazine

“A visual feast. … Ultimately answers the question that plagues so many dancers: If you can no longer dance, who do you become?”—Pointe Magazine