FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2023
CALGARY, AB - Alberta Ballet announced today that Alberta Ballet and Artistic Director Christopher Anderson will part ways at the end of December. Christopher will continue to guide the artistic team to open the 2023-2024 season as planned, which includes his production of The Sleeping Beauty in October/November and Edmund Stripe’s The Nutcracker in December.

“With abundant appreciation and conflicting emotions, I share that I plan to leave Alberta Ballet,” Christopher stated. “After eight years, the time has come to seek out new opportunities. I am so grateful for the many beautiful experiences I have had, and I look forward to celebrating Alberta Ballet’s continued successes.”

Christopher started with Alberta Ballet in 2015 as Rehearsal Director, and over his tenure with Alberta Ballet added several full-length pieces to the Company’s repertoire such as Cinderella (2018), Swan Lake (2021) and Giselle (2023). He also forged new collaborations between Alberta Ballet and some of today's most prolific choreographers, including Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Helen Pickett and Cathy Marston.

Daryl Fridhandler, Chair of the Board of Directors, noted that Christopher has been instrumental in Alberta Ballet’s successes through a tumultuous pandemic period. “With his thoughtful guidance, vision and fortitude, Alberta Ballet was the first performing arts company to return to the Jubilee after the COVID-19 shutdown, with Christopher’s world premiere of Swan Lake.”

President and CEO Chris George added, “Christopher has fostered many valuable international connections for Alberta Ballet, and the Ballet’s 2022-2023 season was a series of artistic successes, with several outstanding collaborations with world-renowned choreographers. The Ballet is grateful to have his steady, thoughtful hand, continuity and support as we look to Alberta Ballet’s next artistic director. We look forward to seeing how a new chapter unfolds for him and wish him all the best in the years ahead.”

The Alberta Ballet Board of Directors has engaged Arts Consulting Group to recruit a new artistic director and will form a search committee in the coming weeks. Alberta Ballet performs for tens of thousands of Albertans each year and remains committed to its vision for high-quality performances and inspirational programming through this leadership transition.

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About Alberta Ballet 

Alberta Ballet ignites the curiosity and imagination of people in communities across the province, and beyond, by championing their stories and experiences through dance training, creation, and performances. Alberta Ballet develops lasting connections and a passionate following in the province, the country and abroad. Through both the originality of its programming and the talent of its classically-trained dancers, Alberta Ballet has become a world-class arts organization Albertans are proud to call their own.