Ruthanna Boris

Ruthanna Boris was an American ballet dancer and choreographer born in Brooklyn in 1919 who became the first American ballerina to achieve star status with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. She studied with George Balanchine and was among the first students of the School of American Ballet, establishing herself as a performer across multiple prestigious companies including Ballet Caravan and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet.

A hip injury redirected Boris toward choreography, where she created works including *Cirque de Deux*, *Cakewalk*, and *Ragtime*. *Cakewalk* was created for New York City Ballet and became one of her signature pieces. During the 1940s and 1950s, she was one of the few American women choreographing ballet, a period when the form remained dominated by European artists and traditions.

In 1965, Boris began a teaching career at the University of Washington that would span eighteen years. There she played a vital role in Seattle's dance revival and in developing the university's dance facilities and teaching program. She remained active in dance education and mentorship until her death on January 5, 2007.