Barry Hughson to leave National Ballet of Canada to join ABT
American Ballet Theatre has announced that Barry Hughson will be the Company’s new Executive Director from 1 July 2024. To take up the new post he will step down as Executive Director of The National Ballet of Canada.
“My time at The National Ballet of Canada has been the most rewarding of my career to date,” said Hughson, “and it is with mixed emotions I leave this brilliant company. It was an honour and a privilege to support the courageous and inspiring ambitions of Artistic Director Emerita Karen Kain for eight years and Artistic Director Hope Muir for the past two years.
Hughson, known for his transformative leadership within the arts sector, joins ABT with an impressive track record from his previous tenure where he was pivotal in strengthening the company’s financial foundations and international stature.
“I look forward to joining American Ballet Theatre,” he said, “the company that meant so much to me in my early days as a dancer. I will always cherish my time at the National Ballet and offer my deep thanks and heartfelt admiration to the dancers, musicians, staff, donors, and the Board of Directors of this incredible company.”
Hughson has held leadership roles at some of the most respected US ballet companies, including the Boston Ballet and Atlanta Ballet. His achievements encompass a broad range of initiatives to expand audience engagement, enhance financial health, and foster artistic collaboration. At The National Ballet of Canada, he led significant projects that elevated the company’s profile and ensured its sustainability, underlining his ability to merge artistic vision with operational excellence.
Susan Jaffe, Artistic Director of ABT, said, “What a profound honour it is for me to work alongside Barry as we chart ABT’s future. His leadership and dedication to the arts will undoubtedly enrich our Company, furthering our commitment to excellence and innovation.”
Hughson added, “ABT is an American treasure and holds an important place in dance history. It is a profound honour to help navigate post-pandemic challenges, pursue opportunities for growth, and protect a Company that I have loved from the time I was a young ballet student dreaming big dreams.”
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
