Lew Christensen's Filling Station
Anti-American sentiment began to build in Latin America during the 1930s, encouraged by the Communists and Axis powers. In response, President Roosevelt appointed Nelson A. Rockefeller as the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs. In 1941, Rockefeller engaged Lincoln Kirstein to develop a ballet company to represent the best of U.S. dance. American Ballet Caravan toured South America in a repertory that included highbrow ballets, such as George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco (1941), as well as ballets that represented Americana themes, including Filling Station (1938) an interpretation of the jobs of ordinary people choreographed by Lew Christensen.
Anti-American sentiment began to build in Latin America during the 1930s, encouraged by the Communists and Axis powers. In response, President Roosevelt appointed Nelson A. Rockefeller as the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs. In 1941, Rockefeller engaged Lincoln Kirstein to develop a ballet company to represent the best of U.S. dance. American Ballet Caravan toured South America in a repertory that included highbrow ballets, such as George Balanchine’s <em>Concerto Barocco</em> (1941), as well as ballets that represented Americana themes, including <em>Filling Station</em> (1938) an interpretation of the jobs of ordinary people choreographed by Lew Christensen.