Alexandra Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 THE WASHINGTON SCHOOL OF BALLET APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR Former American Ballet Theatre Soloist Rebecca Wright Assumes Post August, 2004 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Board President of The Washington Ballet, Kay Kendall announced today the appointment of Rebecca Wright to the position of Director of The Washington School of Ballet. Wright succeeds legendary ballet teacher Mary Day, who has served as the School’s Director for its entire 60-year history and will retire in the summer of 2004. Wright will assume her duties as Director of The Washington School of Ballet in August 2004. Wright’s career as a dancer, teacher and choreographer is vast and highly celebrated. She was a principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet from 1966 to 1975 and a soloist with American Ballet Theatre (ABT) from 1975 to 1982. In addition, Wright has appeared in numerous television presentations including “Live from Lincoln Center” as well as the Emmy-award winning CBS Television special “Harlequin” with Edward Villella. She starred on Broadway in the musical “Merlin” for which she received a Drama Desk nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Wright has been invited to choreograph for the prestigious Carlisle Project and has created numerous works for California State University, Long Beach, where she was a professor from 1987 to 1993. Wright’s teaching and leadership credits include Director of Adelphi University’s Dance program and Chair of the Joffrey/New School Univerisity B.F.A. Program in Dance. She is currently the Director of St. Paul’s School Dance program in Concord, New Hampshire and the Artistic Director of ABT’s Summer Training Programs in New York, Tuscaloosa, Detroit, Austin and Orange County, California. “Mary Day’s Washington School of Ballet has had 60 wonderful years of delivering generations of some of the world’s finest dancers to the ballet world,” says Webre. “Under Rebecca’s stewardship, the School will continue this great legacy of Mary Day.” “I have long admired Rebecca’s work and I have a great respect for her classical ideals,” says Day. “She will undoubtedly carry on and propel forward the fine training, professionalism and strong reputation we’ve established at the School.” “Rebecca impressed the Board with her ability to combine artistic acumen with business savvy and a strong feel for administration,” says Kendall. “Her philosophy is based on always placing the student first. We are thrilled to have her aboard.” Wright officially takes the helm of the School on August 23, 2004. Over the next six months, she will meet regularly with Webre and Day to collaborate on a multi-year strategic plan, integrate with the staff and faculty and gradually take on the day-to-day operations of the School. Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 My best wishes are extended to my friend and former Joffrey colleague, Rebecca Wright, for a successful and happy tenure as the new director of this fabulous school! Link to comment
Juliet Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Very good news for WSB--best wishes to her and to all the students! Link to comment
BW Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 There's an article that you can find through today's links forum or click here about Rebecca Wright's new position with The Washington School of Ballet. I think it's wonderful news! I know there's a great deal of interest, excitement and anticipation, both in the school and in the ballet world in general. Link to comment
scoop Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Sounds like a great appointment! I remember her as a very charming dancer, and was impresed to read about how seriously she's developed her second career as a teacher. The appointment should calm some of the fears that Webre was going to tip WSB more into a strictly neo-classical company. Looking forward to seeing how the company develops from here on... Link to comment
Guest Gringa Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Great News for the WSB However, I'm wondering if there is any speculation on who will replace Ms. Wright as Artistic Director of the ABT Summer programs? Link to comment
LMCtech Posted February 5, 2004 Share Posted February 5, 2004 Yes, that is my question as well. What is ABT going to do? Link to comment
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