After three years as Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Ethan Stiefel has decided to leave the company in order to return to his native USA at the beginning of September to pursue new opportunities. Throughout the three years, Stiefel has made an outstanding contribution to the company and has brought it the success it so deserves. It’s increased international profile has benefited the company greatly as it looks back on the positive influence of Stiefel.
Under Stiefel’s leadership, the RNZB has enjoyed record-breaking seasons of short works and full length ballets, including almost 38,000 tickets sold for The Vodafone Season of Swan Lake in 2013. His acclaimed new production of Giselle, created in collaboration with Johan Kobborg was a landmark in New Zealand dance, and formed the centrepiece of two hugely successful international tours, to China (2013) and the USA (2014).
Stiefel has strengthened the classical ballet company, particularly in full-length works and has focused on building the company to 36 full time members. Not only have dancer numbers increased but so have standards, and Stiefel has also worked to develop the RNZB’s musical resources, including the appointment of Nigel Gaynor as Music Director.
Stiefel’s last season with the RNZB will be Allegro: Five Short Ballets, a programme of classic and contemporary works, including a world premiere from New Zealand choreographer Daniel Belton. Allegro open on 30 July and will tour to a further six theatres around New Zealand. Following their successful US tour, the RNZB is now in rehearsal for Coppélia, the much-loved production which opens on 17 April ahead of an eight theatre New Zealand tour.
An international search for a new Artistic Director is underway and the RNZB Board hopes to confirm an appointment by 1 September 2014.
Image courtesy of notmydayjobphotography‘s photostream on Flickr.