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Sono Osato

Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo

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The full interview is available on the finding aid and will be available at the Newberry soon.

Japanese-American Sono Osato began her dance training in Chicago with Berenice Holmes. She auditioned for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo on the stage of the Auditorium Theatre and was the youngest dancer and first American to join the company. She left in 1941 for the American Ballet Theatre, but was forced to put her career on pause due to WWII. She originated the role of Ivy Smith (Miss Turnstiles) in On the Town and starred as Bianca in The Kissing Bandit with Frank Sinatra. Sono Osato died in New York City in 2018.

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