Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Royal Winnipeg Ballet

CANADA'S ROYAL WINNIPEG BALLET
A SIXTY-TWO YEAR HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE

Versatility, technical excellence, and a captivating style are
the trademarks of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, qualities that
have garnered both critical and audience acclaim. These
qualities keep the RWB in demand as it presents more than 100
performances every season.

Founded in 1939 by Gweneth Lloyd and Betty Farrally, the Royal
Winnipeg Ballet holds the double distinction of being Canada's
premier ballet company and the longest continuously operating
ballet company in North America. In 1953, the Company received
its royal title, the first granted under the reign of Queen
Elizabeth II. In 1958, Arnold Spohr was appointed artistic
director. Under his direction the Royal Winnipeg Ballet grew and
developed to take its place among the world's internationally
renowned companies.

In 1988, Mr. Spohr turned his position over to Henny Jurriens.
Tragically, Jurriens and his wife lost their lives in an
automobile accident on April 9, 1989. Former American Ballet
Theatre Principal Dancer John Meehan was artistic director from
1990 to 1993 and former Joffrey Ballet and Twyla Tharp dancer
William Whitener served as artistic director of the Royal
Winnipeg Ballet from 1993 to 1995. On March 7, 1996, Andr Lewis
was named Artistic Director of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet. A
native of Hull, Quebec, Mr. Lewis joined the RWB Schools
Professional Division in 1975, entered the companys corps de
ballet in 1979 and was promoted to soloist in 1982. He was asked
to join the artistic staff in 1984 and was appointed Associate
Artistic Director in 1990. During his tenure as Artistic
Director, Lewis has worked to revitalise the Companys
repertoire, especially with the commissioning of new full-length
ballets such as Dracula and Nutcracker.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet began to tour Canada in 1945; it
completed its first American tour in 1954. Today, the Company
spends 20 or more weeks a year on the road, performing in centres
large and small. Throughout its history, the Royal Winnipeg
Ballet has been a dance leader, recording innumerable firsts. It
developed the concept of the regional ballet festival in the
1940s. It was the first Western company to perform in Cuba after
the revolution. It received Gold Medals at the International
Ballet Festival in Paris in 1968 and that same year became the
first Canadian company to tour Russia and Czechoslovakia.

The RWB Schools Professional Division was founded in 1970 by
former principal dancer, David Moroni C.M.. Internationally
recognized as a centre of excellence in dance training for more
than 25 years, the School is a respected training institution for
talented young students who aspire to become professional dancers
or dance teachers.

In 1986, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet began construction of a new
Company home. This unique facility, which includes 10 dance
studios (including a performance studio), physiotherapy room,
administrative and production offices, box office, wardrobe
department and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional and
Recreational Divisions, was officially opened in January 1988.
For Canadas oldest ballet company, winner of accolades and warm
welcomes in 548 cities worldwide, this is home.

Company Details

Year Established: 1939

Company Information

Greg Klassen
Title: Director
Telephone: (204) 956-0183

Catherine Mckeehan
Title: General Manager
Telephone: (204) 956-0183

Naniece Abrahim
Title: Publicity Manager
Telephone: (204) 956-0183
Fax: (204) 943-1994
Email: Click Here

Rachael King Johnson
Title: Publicity Manager
Telephone: (204) 956-0183
Fax: (204) 943-1994
Email: Click Here

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