Charlotte Ballet names a new leader. Here’s what he envisions for the dance company
After a nine-month search, the Charlotte Ballet has a new artistic director.
The dance company announced Thursday that Alejandro Cerrudo, 41, will be its next leader. Cerrudo has worked as a dancer and choreographer for 24 years, most recently as resident choreographer at the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle.
The ballet’s board said it chose Cerrudo based on his passion for creating a diverse and inclusive dance culture, which aligns with the ballet’s own mission.
Former artistic director Hope Muir left the company last July for a gig at The National Ballet of Canada. Cerrudo will be the Charlotte Ballet’s fifth artistic director since its founding in 1970.
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Cerrudo was born in Madrid and spent his dancing career with such well-known companies as Stuttgart Ballet in Germany, Dutch dance troupe Nederland Dans Theater 2 and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
He choreographed works for Czech National Ballet, former New York City Ballet dancer Wendy Whelan and an independent show that premiered at The Joyce Theater in New York. He starts work in Charlotte May 1.
’Something so beautiful’
Cerrudo called Charlotte Ballet “everything an artistic director could want” in a dance company.
“I think Charlotte has something so beautiful with the Charlotte Ballet.” Cerrudo told the Observer. “I’m excited to start working together to keep pushing the boundaries of ballet.”
Cerrudo’s hiring is an exciting move for the ballet, executive director Doug Singleton said, both in Charlotte and in the broader dance world.
“When I saw his name come up (in the search process), I thought ‘Wow we are really stepping up in the world,” Singleton said. “I do think he really is one of the most creative choreographers working in the U.S. right now.”
As artistic director, Cerrudo will set the organization’s artistic vision, curate the ballet’s programming and serve as the public face of the dance company. Interim artistic director Christopher Stuart has led the ballet since Muir’s departure.
Cerrudo’s vision for Charlotte Ballet
The board was drawn to Cerrudo for his collaborative spirit, Singleton said, and his vision to create an inclusive, creative space at Charlotte Ballet.
“In the studio, I think what he’s going to do is break down that sense of (there being) only one person in the room who makes all the decisions,” he said.
Cerrudo said he plans to build on what the dance company has already achieved, especially in fostering diversity.
“I strongly believe that diversity within our organization is one of the most important things that will fuel our success,” he said. “The more backgrounds, the more voices we have, that really cultivates an elevated dialogue that ultimately benefits the growth of the whole organization.”
Audiences can expect a healthy balance of classical — think the tutus and Tchaikovsky many audience members associate with the art form — and contemporary works. Singleton said it’s the latter he’s particularly excited for.
“I think (Cerrudo) is going to push the bounds of contemporary ballet,” Singleton said. “I think Charlotte is going to be known for the best contemporary ballet in the country because of his leadership.”
With Cerrudo at the helm, Singleton hopes the ballet will grow its reputation as a cultural staple both within Charlotte and beyond. The goal is “to make sure we are an example for our community, but (also) for the dance world,” he said.
And Cerrudo said he wants to keep the focus on audiences as well, making the ballet a place they can come to have fun or find solace.
“I want this to be a cultural escape for Charlotteans,” he said.
50th ballet season comes to a close
Charlotte Ballet is closing out its 50th season this spring, first with “Sleeping Beauty: A Fairy-Tailored Classic” — the show that originally opened in March 2020 before it was shut down due to the pandemic. The show runs Apr. 29 through May 8.
The ballet’s Choreographic Lab, which features dances created by new and emerging choreographers, runs May 13 through 21.
This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 1:00 PM.
