{"value"=>"<p>The New York City Ballet series is comprised of photographs of ballet productions, individual dancers, and set and costume designs. There are several files dedicated to George Balanchine's <span class=\"title\">The Nutcracker</span>. These files include numerous studio portraits of principal dancers in costume, including Robert Barnett as Candy Cane, Diane Adams as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Pat Wilde as the titular Nutcracker. Melton also set up the nutcracker object and prop in the studio for its own portrait session.</p> <p>Of the many individuals photographed, there is an emphasis on New York City Ballet co-founders George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. Balanchine and Robbins were photographed in studio portraiture, backstage meetings, and rehearsals. Melton also captured star principal dancers of New York City Ballet, including Todd Bolender, André Eglevsky, Melissa Hayden, Tanaquil LeClercq, and Maria Tallchief.</p> <p>Several notable surrealist artists contributed designs to the New York City Ballet. The collection includes photographs of Dorothea Tanning's costumes for <span class=\"title\">Bayou</span>, and multiple set designs by painter Esteban Francés, including <span class=\"title\">Tyl Ulenspiegel</span>. Additionally, there are photographs of Cecil Beaton's costume designs for both <span class=\"title\">Swan Lake</span> and <span class=\"title\">Picnic at Tintagel</span>.</p>"}