Littlefield, Dorothie

Dorothie Littlefield (1912–1953) was an American ballet dancer, who was the sister of the dancer Catherine Littlefield (1904–1951), who established one of the first ballet companies in the United States.

Born on September 16, 1912 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dorothie initially was taught to dance by her mother, Caroline Littlefield, a talented musician who involved her children in the performing arts and became an important force in expanding professional dance training and performance opportunities in the city. Dorothie made significant contributions to the dance projects initiated by her mother and sister, eventually teaching at their Littlefield School. Both Catherine and Dorothie periodically traveled to Europe to receive advanced ballet training in Russian and Italian technique and became friends with ballet emigres, including George Balanchine. As a dancer, Dorothie developed a strong technique and atheletic, fluent style. She took on roles in numerous works choroegraphed by her sister for the company she founded in 1935, the Littlefield Ballet (known from 1935-1937 as the Philadelphia Ballet Company), including Barn Dance and The Snow Queen.

She was the first American teacher hired by Balanchine in the United States, working with the Children's Division at the newly established School of American Ballet. She also she took part in the early performances of Balanchine’s ballets given in America. Dorothie was considered and excellent teacher with a warm, generous personality. Among her notable students was Patricia Wilde, who later became a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet.

Following the disbanding of the Littlefield Ballet, Dorothie danced with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, on Broadway in The Vagabond King and in the touring edition of Song of Norway, for which she served as ballet mistress. Like her sister, she later directed ice shows and even learned to skate.

Dorothie was briefly married to fellow Littlefield Ballet member, Bill Lane. After their divorce, she married skater Harper Flaherty in 1948. The couple had one daughter, who Dorothie named Catherine, after her recently deceased sister. While pregnant with another child, Littlefield suffered a heart attack and died on August 24, 1953, in Evanston, Illinois at the age of 40.