Antonia Franceschi Named Artistic Director of New York Theatre Ballet
Board chair Jackie Karceski cites her leadership through the company's transition period.
New York Theatre Ballet (NYTB) has appointed Antonia Franceschi to the permanent position of Artistic Director. The appointment, effective immediately, was announced today by NYTB Board Chair, Jackie Karceski. Franceschi has served as NYTB's Interim Artistic Director since January 5, 2026.
Dancer, choreographer, writer, and director Franceschi began her early dance training in the Cecchetti method with Margaret Craske and studied at School of American Ballet. At the invitation of George Balanchine, she danced with New York City Ballet from 1981-1992. A Time Out (London) Award winner for Outstanding Achievement in Dance, Franceschi's career in dance has spanned more than four decades.
'Antonia's long relationship with New York Theatre Ballet, first as a choreographer, and most recently, guiding the company as Interim Artistic Director, positions her perfectly to lead NYTB into its next chapter,' said Karcescki. 'She has successfully led the company through this transition period, nurturing its artists, overseeing touring, and providing a compelling vision for the future. Antonia's proven leadership and deep experience in the dance world bodes well for our dancers and audiences who will benefit from her vision.'
'New York Theatre Ballet's mission and legacy is so close to my heart,' said Franceschi. 'These past few months have reminded me of the importance of movement and music to inspire our daily lives. I look forward to leading NYTB's dedicated artists, choreographers, composers, and collaborators in building upon the company's illustrious history and paving a path for its artistic future.'
For more information on New York Theatre Ballet, please visit www.nytb.org.
Antonia Franceschi
Time Out Award winner Antonia Franceschi is an alumna of New York City Ballet (1981-1992) and has enjoyed a performing career spanning more than four decades. She created roles in works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins, Lar Lubovitch, Wayne McGregor, Martha Clarke, and Karole Armitage, among others. In addition to her early dance education with Margaret Craske and School of American Ballet, Franceschi studied drama at the High School for the Performing Arts in New York City. At age 16, she auditioned for and appeared in the seminal musical drama film, Fame. She also appeared in the film Grease and danced with Makarova and Company (1980).
She has choreographed extensively for companies in the U K, and for NYTB, Black Ballet, Barnard College, and Rambert School. Franceschi created and produced 'New York Ballet Stars,' performing at The Queen Elizabeth Hall and Royal Festival Hall and touring both The Harrogate and Sintra Festivals from 1996-2000. She wrote and performed Up From The Waste (2005) for The Soho Theatre, directed by Nancy Meckler, and received a grant for her next dance play POP 8 at The Lion & Unicorn Theatre where she collaborated with Mark Baldwin, Zoe Martlew, and Ballet Black.
Franceschi was invited by Boris Charmatz to dance in 'Musée de la danse' (2015), a 48-hour unfolding program of dance at the Tate Modern. She was the Rehearsal Director for The Royal Opera House's Whelan/Watson Other Stories (2015), and Associate Choreographer for Arlene Philips for Candoco. In 2023, she choreographed Dr. Semmelweis to critical acclaim at London's Harold Pinter Theatre (directed by Tom Morris and co-written by Mark Rylance and Stephen Brown).
Additional choreographic credits include Othello (directed by Claire van Kampen for The Globe Theatre, 2019), and Idaspe (Riccardo Broschi opera) for Pittsburgh's Byham Theater, Quantum Theater, and Chatham Baroque, (2019). In 2023, she danced in Karole Armitage's GRRRL Nutcracker and as Maria Taglioni in Jess and Morgs award-winning film 'An Evening with Taglioni.'
Franceschi was interviewed for the book Balanchine, Then and Now, and has been a guest on the BBC's Woman's Hour. Franceschi has taught at Juilliard, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, NYTB, and Rambert Dance.
ABOUT NEW YORK THEATRE BALLET
New York Theatre Ballet performs small classic masterpieces and new contemporary works for adults and innovative hour-long ballets for young children, all at affordable prices. The mission is carried out in the work of the Professional Company, its New York Theatre Ballet School, and its LIFT Community Service Program. Together these divisions reach adults and family audiences across the country, building a love for dance and diverse audiences for the future.
Since 1978, NYTB has produced, for adult and family audiences, dozens of classic masterpieces and contemporary ballets. Its roster includes dances by Frederick Ashton, Merce Cunningham, Agnes De Mille, José Limón, and Antony Tudor. NYTB has appeared with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall to sold out audiences and has performed at dance venues such as Danspace Project, Jacob's Pillow, Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, and New York's City Center. Founded by Diana Byer, NYTB has earned national acclaim for its restoration and revival of small masterworks by great choreographers and for its innovative hour-long ballets based on children's literature.
