Director of Smuin Ballet to Participate in 'The Glass Slipper Ceiling' Panel 4/28

In an historic event entitled "The Glass Slipper Ceiling," Celia Fushille, Artistic and Executive Director of Smuin Ballet, has been invited to join four other female artistic directors to discuss the rarity of their position in ballet companies across the United States. The seminar is part of Virginia's statewide arts event, MINDS WIDE OPEN: Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts, co-sponsored by Richmond Ballet, The State Ballet of Virginia, and the CenterStage Foundation and will be held April 28, 2010 in the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage in Virginia.

The idea for the seminar was inspired by the 2007 New York Times article by Claudia La Rocco entitled, "Often on Point but Rarely in Charge", which noted that only four of the 38 major ballet companies* in the United States were led by female artistic directors. Celia Fushille will be joined by the other three women in her unique position, Victoria Morgan (Cincinnati Ballet), Dorothy Gunther Pugh (Ballet Memphis), and Stoner Winslett (Richmond Ballet), along with special guest Suzanne Farrell (The Suzanne Farrell Ballet), to serve as panelists for this fascinating discussion. Former New York Times Chief Dance Critic Anna Kisselgoff will moderate the panel and Dance/USA Executive Director Andrea Snyder will make the introductions. Members of the dance community nationwide are expected to attend what promises to be lively morning of conversation that examines and challenges the current status quo and explores how women's leadership roles within the field are evolving.

*Companies with an annual budget of $2.5 million or more.

Debuting in San Francisco in 1994, Smuin Ballet immediately established itself as one of the Bay Area's most eagerly watched performing arts companies, as "one of this country's most entertaining, original ballet troupes" (Dance Magazine), and as a dance company of international acclaim, performing to sold-out houses on European tours. Michael Smuin's singular philosophy to create pieces which merge the diverse vocabularies of classical ballet and contemporary dance has served as the company's touchstone since its beginning.

Now at the helm of Smuin Ballet is Artistic and Executive Director Celia Fushille, whose vision includes maintaining and increasing the company's reputation for presenting accessible and innovative repertoire, attracting new audiences of all ages to the medium. The company has continued to highlight works created by Smuin, both for his own and for other ballet companies, but Fushille also enriches its impressive repertoire with newer choreographic voices, bringing the Bay Area its first look at works by exciting choreographers from around the world, as well as developing world premieres by company members.

Smuin Ballet's spring program concludes its current season with three enthralling, high-energy ballets to be presented in San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Cupertino, and Carmel. The evening begins with a milestone for Smuin Ballet as it becomes the first Bay Area company to perform the extraordinary Petite Mort by the internationally renowned choreographer Jirí Kylián. Continuing the program is the World Premiere of the enticingly frenetic French Twist by rising star choreographer Ma Cong. The evening concludes with an enduring romance by the incomparable Michael Smuin, the passionate Songs of Mahler. The program plays May 7, 2010 through June 5, 2010. Single tickets ($18, $41, and $56) are available through the respective theaters. For more information, visit www.smuinballet.org.

Photo Credit: Christopher Jean-Richard

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