Ballerina and actress. Geva studied privately with Evgenia Sokolova until she was allowed to enter night classes at the Theatre School after the 1917 Russian revolution. She married George Balanchine after his graduation, danced in many of his experimental ballets and was also a member of the Soviet State Dancers. With Balanchine and her friends she joined the Ballet Russes. While her husband was away to work on new ballets with Diaghilev she was fired by the ballet master of the Russes, Sergei Grigoriev. Balanchine did nothing to help her get back into the company, the marriage came to an end. But when Diaghilev heard of her dismissal he reinstated her and promised her bigger roles. She waited for the chance to be promoted, but it never came. She then joined Chauve Souris a company founded by Nikita Balieff. She was a great success on the American tour but when it was over she did not renew her contract since she did not want to return to Europe. Although she had great reviews no jobs were offered. She then met Florenz Ziegfeld through a friend of Balieff. Ziegfeld signed her to dance in Whoopee, starring Eddie Cantor and Ruby Keeler. She also danced and sang in Three's a Crowd. While doing this show, a knock at her door produced a very sick George Balanchine. Geva nursed him back to health and after his recovery, he asked her to guest star for his company, the American Ballet. Geva is mainly remembered for being in the musical On Your Toes and for her further successes in her career as an actress in musicals and films.
Ballerina and actress. Geva studied privately with Evgenia Sokolova until she was allowed to enter night classes at the Theatre School after the 1917 Russian revolution. She married George Balanchine after his graduation, danced in many of his experimental ballets and was also a member of the Soviet State Dancers. With Balanchine and her friends she joined the Ballet Russes. While her husband was away to work on new ballets with Diaghilev she was fired by the ballet master of the Russes, Sergei Grigoriev. Balanchine did nothing to help her get back into the company, the marriage came to an end. But when Diaghilev heard of her dismissal he reinstated her and promised her bigger roles. She waited for the chance to be promoted, but it never came. She then joined Chauve Souris a company founded by Nikita Balieff. She was a great success on the American tour but when it was over she did not renew her contract since she did not want to return to Europe. Although she had great reviews no jobs were offered. She then met Florenz Ziegfeld through a friend of Balieff. Ziegfeld signed her to dance in Whoopee, starring Eddie Cantor and Ruby Keeler. She also danced and sang in Three's a Crowd. While doing this show, a knock at her door produced a very sick George Balanchine. Geva nursed him back to health and after his recovery, he asked her to guest star for his company, the American Ballet. Geva is mainly remembered for being in the musical On Your Toes and for her further successes in her career as an actress in musicals and films.
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