Tetley, Glen

Tetley, Glen (Glenford Andrew Tetley, Jr.), 1926–2006, American dancer and choreographer, b. Cleveland. He studied in New York City with Hanya Holm and trained with Martha Graham, subsequently dancing (1958–59) with her company. Also a member of the American Ballet Theatre, he later had his own modern-dance troupe, which disbanded in 1969; danced (1962–65) with the Netherlands Dance Theater, briefly becoming (1969) its co-director; and directed (1974–76) the Stuttgart Ballet. His influential choreography is marked by a fusion of ballet and modern-dance elements. Tetley made dances for many companies in the United States and in Europe, where he introduced American modern-dance approaches and techniques and where his work was particularly popular. His dances include Voluntaries (1973), his signature piece; Pierrot Lunaire (1962); Greening (1975); and Lux in Tenebris (1999).

---

Tetley (Jr.), Glen(ford Andrew)

(born Feb. 3, 1926, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.) American dancer, choreographer, and ballet director. He trained in modern dance with Hanya Holm and Martha Graham. Between 1946 and 1962 he danced in Broadway musical productions as well as with dance companies such as the American Ballet Theatre. He became a choreographer in 1962, forming his own company and creating Pierrot Lunaire. Subsequently he staged works with most of the major dance companies throughout the world. Tetley's work helped to bring about a synthesis of modern dance and classical ballet. His creative staging and daring, often sexual, subject matter were sometimes controversial, but he was praised for the passion and strong physicality of his work.