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April 11, 2007 (CHICAGO)– The Chicago-based, world-renowned Joffrey Ballet is proud to announce that Gerald Arpino, legendary
Joffrey Ballet Co-Founder and Artistic Director, will become Joffrey Ballet Artistic Director Emeritus as the company culminates its two-year 50th Anniversary celebration, July 1, 2007. Arpino,
whose vast repertoire is the flagship of The Joffrey Ballet, was largely responsible for relocating the Company to Chicago in 1995. Arpino’s position as Artistic Director Emeritus is
a lifetime appointment.
An international search for a new Artistic Director is being launched April 16th with the help of a consultant and a Succession Committee comprised of members of The Joffrey Board of Directors
and Jon H. Teeuwissen, Executive Director, along with Arpino, the one constant over the first fifty years of The Joffrey who will have a significant voice in the succession planning.
“The Joffrey is an American dream come true “said Arpino. “Bob and I created an American dance company that is known the world over. The Joffrey has always been an innovator,
introducing new choreographers, while at the same time preserving historic works. The Joffrey’s first Chicago performance dates back to 1957. Chicago has always and continues
to embrace The Joffrey, and I am proud to call Chicago home. For the past fifty years, The Joffrey has been my home and I am committed to spearheading the effort to continue the legacy that
is The Joffrey Ballet.”
“As we near the conclusion of The 50th Anniversary celebration which has been a time of reflection, our focus has shifted to the future” said Teeuwissen. “Everything
Mr. Arpino has accomplished is a statement within itself. It is only natural that he would take an active role in the selection of his successor and his input is essential to this search
process.”
Arpino, 83, co-founded The Joffrey Ballet with Robert Joffrey in 1956 and was a leading dancer with the company in its early years, one of six dancers touring the country in a borrowed station
wagon pulling a U-Haul trailer. He choreographed his first work for The Joffrey, Ropes, in 1961. Shortly thereafter, he became The Joffrey’s resident choreographer and to date
has created more than one-third of the company’s repertoire. He served as associate director for many years, and upon Mr. Joffrey’s death in 1988, Mr. Arpino succeeded him as
artistic director. His amazingly diverse work ranges from social commentary to pure dance gems, and his ballets are performed by companies around the world.
The Joffrey Ballet will open its Spring engagement, Light Rain, a roster of six cutting-edge works, at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Wednesday,
April 25. The program, which includes two works by Arpino, “Valentine” and “Light Rain,” continues through Sunday, May 6. For more information on the Light Rain program,
please contact 312.902.1500 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
For more information about The Joffrey Ballet please call (312) 739-0120
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