Later Years & Legacy
1991
Tetley returns to the United States to choreograph what would become "Dialogues" for the Dance Theatre of Harlem. A plotless ballet for four pair of dancers, it premiered at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Center in Washington DC on April 2, 1991.
1996
Scott Douglas, Glen Tetley's partner and assistant, passed away on March 27, 1996 at the age of 70. Douglas was a leading dancer with Ballet Theater in the 1950's and 60's known for his portrayals of the Third Sailor in Jerome Robbins's "Fancy Free," the title role in Eugene Loring's "Billy the Kid", and the Head Wrangler in Agnes de Mille's "Rodeo" among others. Douglas danced in Glen Tetley's Dance Company as well as choreographed his own pieces. Douglas traveled the world for many years to stage Tetley's choreographies for dance companies in preparation for Tetley's approval. They had known each other for 40 years.
1997
In 1997, His Majesty The King of Norway presented Tetley with the Knight of Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for his twenty years of work with the Norwegian National Ballet.
1999
The last ballet Tetley choreographed was "Lux in Tenebris", created for Houston Ballet in 1999. The title translates into the Latin phrase for “light in darkness”.
2000s
Having choreographed over 60 ballets in his lifetime, Tetley continued to work and travel widely staging his ballets for dance companies internationally. Fortunately, Tetley was able to witness dance companies and audiences in the United States become more accepting and appreciative of his abstract pieces as Europe had been decades before.
2007
On January 26, 2007, Tetley died in West Palm Beach, Florida, aged 80, following a battle with skin cancer. He was survived by his sisters, Byrne Erb of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, and Shirley Leonard of Bellingham, Washington, as well as his companion, Raffiele Ravaioli.
"Interviewed for his 80th-birthday celebrations, Mr. Tetley recalled how “the extreme moderns,” as he called them, criticized him for using pirouettes and arabesques in “Pierrot Lunaire,” his first acclaimed piece, later popularized by Rudolf Nureyev and set to Schoenberg’s Expressionist song cycle. “I am just using the vocabulary of dance,” Mr. Tetley told his critics."
(New York Times, Anna Kisselgoff, January 30, 2007)
2007
Following Tetley’s death in 2007, long-time business manager Christine Dobush, set out to carry forward Tetley’s wishes that a foundation be made as the repository for his life time body of work in dance. Ms. Dobush founded the Glen Tetley Legacy, which was made possible through the support of Tetley’s heirs.
Tetley’s siblings and estate heirs, sisters Shirley Leonard and Byrne Erb, wanted to honor their brother’s memory. Their recognition of his importance in 20th century dance history enabled Glen Tetley Legacy to acquire ownership of the Tetley choreographies.
2010
Glen Tetley Legacy became official on September 13, 2010, through The Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York (USA), which granted incorporation status to operate as a cultural agency. Glen Tetley Legacy is a 501 (c) (3) not for profit corporation and a Registrant of the Charities Bureau, State of New York, Office of the Attorney General
TODAY
Audience members around the world have the opportunity to view Glen Tetley's landmark choreography thanks to the mission and devotion of the Glen Tetley Legacy. Glen Tetley's choreography is as emotive, relevant, and inspiring to today's world as the day they were premiered.