Atlanta Dancer Recalls Performing In 1996 Olympic Ceremonies

This Cultural Olympiad story was produced in partnership with ArtsATL as part of “Atlanta Remembers: The 1996 Olympics,” WABE’s series on the impact of the 1996 Summer Olympics on Atlanta, 20 years later. For more stories, click here.

Under the rather broad narrative “A Journey Through Civilization,” the 1996 Olympics opening ceremony featured hundreds of performers, including dancers, cheerleaders, marching bands, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Gladys Knight and Celine Dion, all curated by filmmaker Kenny Ortega.

Longtime Atlanta dancer and choreographer Lee Harper and several members of her company participated. Along with 50 other dancers, they performed as Southern spirits during the showcase “Summertime: The Beauty of the South.”