The New York World. Promotional photograph of Nijinsky in rehearsal clothes, New York, 1916. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

It is generally agreed that Njinsky’s life began to deteriorate between 1913 and 1916. He had married Hungarian Romola de Pulszky while on a South American tour and was unable to reconstruct a professional connection to Diaghilev. The Nijinsky family, now including daughter Kyra, was caught in Budapest when World War I erupted in 1914. He was released in 1916 to lead the Ballets Russes on an American tour. The reputation of the Ballets Russes had spread to North America through numerous depictions in newspapers and magazines and through word of mouth by the many wealthy families and intellectuals who traveled annually to Europe. Anna Pavlova frequently toured and performed her repertory throughout the western Hemisphere. In addition, many one-time Diaghilev dancers had been imported for performances in Broadway revues, bringing with them versions of the repertory and designs. The company arrived for the 1916-1917 tour with Diaghilev’s name on the masthead, but Nijinsky as artistic director. You can follow along through programs and the railroad map as the company traveled around the country.

Pages from Souvenir Programs for the Ballets Russes tour in (left) New York, (center) Chicago and (right) Fort Worth, 1916-1917. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts