Valerie Bettis

Valerie Elizabeth Bettis (December 1919 – September 26, 1982) was an American modern dancer and choreographer. She found success in musical theatre, ballet and as a solo dancer.

Biography Valerie Bettis was born in 1919 on either December 19 or December 20, in Houston, Texas. Her parents were Royal Holt Bettis and Valerie Elizabeth Bettis (née McCarthy). Her father died when she was 13 years old, after which her mother married Hugh Prather.

Career Bettis found success both as a modern dancer and as a choreographer, often both in the same production. She was known for her "versatility, vivid stage presence, and flamboyant theatricality". before moving to New York City to study modern dance under Hanya Holm. She performed and toured with Holm's company from 1937 tto 1940.

Ballet In 1947, Bettis choreographed with a major ballet company. In 1948, she adapted, directed and choreographed William Faulkner's novel As I Lay Dying, fusing acting and dance into a dance play. John Martin, The New York Times dance critic, called it "a completely authoritative work of art". Doris Hering of Dance Magazine wrote, "Only an artist with the deepest feeling for movement and drama could have worked the wonders Miss Bettis did with the material at hand." Bettis's next attempt at a dance play, Domino Furioso, which was premiered at the 1949 American Dance Festival, was less successful, attracting mixed reviews: "attractive" and "easy to take in", Hering this time wrote, "If Miss Bettis is not careful she will talk us all to death." Bettis found success in 1952 when she choreographed a ballet based on the Tennessee Williams play, A Streetcar Named Desire. Critics described it as "gripping" and a "stunning, explosive creation".

Musical theatre Bettis first tried her hand at musical comedies when she choreographed and performed in Glad to See You in 1944. a revue that ran for nearly 400 performances at the New Century Theatre and the Majestic Theatre. Her performance in the 1950 revue Bless You All was praised by Life magazine both for her dancing and for her singing abilities.

Movies Rita Hayworth's dances to the songs "Trinidad Lady" and "I've Been Kissed Before" in the 1952 movie Affair in Trinidad, as well as the "Dance of the Seven Veils" in the 1953 movie Salome, were choreographed by Valerie Bettis.

Year Title Role Notes1952 Affair in Trinidad Veronica Huebling 1953 Let's Do It Again Lilly Adair

Selected choreography

The Desperate Heart (1943) Yerma (1946) Virginia Sampler (1947) As I Lay Dying (1948) Domino Furioso (1949) The Golden Round (1955) The Past Perfect Hero (1958) Closed Door (1959) Early Voyagers (1960) Songs and Processions (1964) Echoes of Spoon River (1976)