Director Iain Webb Signs Six-Year Contract with The Sarasota Ballet

Hillary Steele, Chair of The Sarasota Ballet Board of Directors, announced today that Iain Webb will be remaining with the company at least through the 2016-2017 season. Director Iain Webb, who has just completed his highly successful fourth season, was offered a contract extending his leadership of the Sarasota Ballet for six more years.

"We could not be more pleased with the tremendous growth our Sarasota Ballet has experienced since Iain arrived," says Steele. "The vote was unanimous and we are all looking forward to continued artistic growth and financial health for the organization."

The Board noted the many milestones Webb has achieved in his short tenure thus far: productions with vastly improved artistic quality, substantial increases in season subscribers in each of the four seasons, national and international media attention and favorable critical reviews, and a revival of the School programs with increased enrollment and revenue. The numbers speak for themselves as Webb has brought to The Sarasota Ballet 101 ballets and divertissements, among them 16 world premieres, 27 U.S. premieres, 55 Sarasota premieres, and 4 new productions.

In the coming season, the Board is proud of The Sarasota Ballet's invitation to partner and perform with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and is excited about the expansion of the season to include performances at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.

"This has been one of the most satisfying professional challenges of my life," shares Webb who credits so much of his success to the energy and talent of the dancers who have enthusiastically mastered the broad diversity of choreography programmed season after season. "Of course, I am indebted to the choreographers and trusts for their belief in my vision for the company and have allowed us to perform their ballets."

"I am extraordinarily grateful for the support I have received from the Board of Directors, The Sarasota Ballet Association, our donors, audience and staff, who welcomed me to Sarasota four years ago, and continue to make the success of The Sarasota Ballet a reality.