American Repertory Ballet names Ethan Stiefel as its new Artistic Director

After an extensive search, American Repertory Ballet (ARB) has announced that Ethan Stiefel will become its new Artistic Director beginning in July 2021.

Board Chair, DonnaJean Fredeen, said,

This appointment marks a wonderful new era for our organization. We believe Ethan Stiefel's unparalleled expertise and innovative vision will bring American Repertory Ballet into an exciting new chapter. We are delighted to welcome him and look forward to supporting his leadership.

Stiefel began his professional career at age 16 with the New York City Ballet where he quickly rose to the rank of Principal Dancer. He was also a Principal Dancer with Ballett Zürich and American Ballet Theater (ABT) where, in July 2012, he gave his final performance. It was described by The New York Times as “daring, explosive, and laced with risk.”

Stiefel adds,

I am very fortunate to again have the opportunity to become an Artistic Director. I believe most arts organizations have taken stock during these times and are exploring ways to pioneer, diversify and reinvigorate how they approach their internal culture while seeking to offer current and relevant inspiration for communities and audiences. I am looking forward to helping American Repertory Ballet emerge from these challenging times and to being a part of developing the art form within the organization and the communities we serve.

Stiefel served as Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand (RNZB) for three years, which followed his position as Dean of the School of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). He is currently the Principal Guest Instructor at American Ballet Theatre (ABT).

American Repertory Ballet's mission is “to bring the joy, beauty, artistry and discipline of classical and contemporary dance to New Jersey and nationwide audiences and to dance students through artistic and educational programs”.

Founded as the Princeton Ballet Society in 1954, the organization now comprises: the preeminent professional classical and contemporary ballet company in the state; Princeton Ballet School, one of the largest and most respected non-profit dance schools in the nation; and ARB's Access & Enrichment initiatives, including the long-running DANCE POWER program.

To learn more, visit arballet.org.

Photo: Ethan Stiefel, photo by Rosalie O'Connor

Gramilano( Editor )

Graham Spicer is a writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people “who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like”. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.

His scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the ‘Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times magazine.