Robert Weiss (choreographer)
Encyclopedia
Robert Weiss is an American ballet dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director
of Carolina Ballet
. He began his professional career at age 17 joining the New York City Ballet
under George Balanchine
, eventually becoming a Principal Dancer
. Balanchine created several roles for him, including Ballo della Regina
. Weiss remained with the New York City Ballet for 16 years. He later served as Artistic Director
of the Pennsylvania Ballet
from 1982 to 1990. Weiss then became the founding Artistic Director
of Carolina Ballet
in 1997 where he has remained to this day.
Artistic director
An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company, that handles the organization's artistic direction. He or she is generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the organization is generally a non-profit organization...
of Carolina Ballet
Carolina Ballet
Carolina Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1997 which performs primarily in Raleigh, North Carolina and throughout the state. It has toured to New York City, Hungary and China. Robert Weiss, the artistic director, danced for George Balanchine for sixteen years at New York City Ballet and...
. He began his professional career at age 17 joining the New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Leon Barzin was the company's first music director. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company...
under George Balanchine
George Balanchine
George Balanchine , born Giorgi Balanchivadze in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a Georgian father and a Russian mother, was one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, a developer of ballet in the United States, co-founder and balletmaster of New York City Ballet...
, eventually becoming a Principal Dancer
Principal dancer
A principal dancer is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company....
. Balanchine created several roles for him, including Ballo della Regina
Ballo della Regina
Ballo della Regina is a ballet choreographed by George Balanchine, set to music of Giuseppe Verdi's opera Don Carlos. Its premiere performance was on January 12, 1978, by the New York City Ballet at New York State Theater in Lincoln Center...
. Weiss remained with the New York City Ballet for 16 years. He later served as Artistic Director
Artistic director
An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company, that handles the organization's artistic direction. He or she is generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the organization is generally a non-profit organization...
of the Pennsylvania Ballet
Pennsylvania Ballet
Founded in 1963 by Balanchine student and protégée Barbara Weisberger, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of the leading ballet companies in the United States. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the company’s annual local season features six programs of classic favorites and new works, including the...
from 1982 to 1990. Weiss then became the founding Artistic Director
Artistic director
An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company, that handles the organization's artistic direction. He or she is generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the organization is generally a non-profit organization...
of Carolina Ballet
Carolina Ballet
Carolina Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1997 which performs primarily in Raleigh, North Carolina and throughout the state. It has toured to New York City, Hungary and China. Robert Weiss, the artistic director, danced for George Balanchine for sixteen years at New York City Ballet and...
in 1997 where he has remained to this day.
Artistic credits
Notable choreography credits include:- Messiah
- Carmen
- The Kreutzer Sonata
- Romeo & Juliet
- Stravinsky's Clowns
- Don Quixote