Prima ballerina Yvonne Chouteau, from Vinita, dies at 86

NewsOK ^ | January 26, 2016 • | staff

[Lexington Green]

Yvonne Chouteau was the epitome of a prima ballerina in the eyes of artist Mike Larsen.

“When you were in her presence with her, she was THE prima ballerina. There's no other way to describe her. … We watched her move, and we could see her on stage all those years ago,” he said.

“Truly, I cannot describe the loss. It seems like recently we have lost so many legends. And Yvonne was one of those. She was one of the legends — and not just in Oklahoma.”

Chouteau, one of the five American Indian ballerinas from Oklahoma who gained worldwide fame in the 20th century, died Sunday after a long illness. She was 86.

[Lexington Green]

One of the greatest ballerinas of all time... and a first-class lady.

Bravo Bravo Bravo

[yarddog]

I always remember Vinita as the state mental hospital.

[lee martell]

Interesting lady, very petite, refined and disciplined, but with a prevailing sense of grace. Unknown to me until now. Hers is a story that will probably be told in the future. Maybe some enterprising young lady sees herself as Yvonne, and can add narrative for a good screenplay.

[trisham]

[kiryandil]

click on the pic for the Yvonne Chouteau interview.

[kiryandil]

See post #5

[kiryandil]

see post #5

[trisham]

Thank you so much. I’ve always loved ballet.

[Slyfox]

Vinita was named after Vinnie Ream who was the sculptor who
did the Abraham Lincoln statue in the Capitol Rotunda.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.