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Ballet Icon Ben Stevenson Dies at 89
31 Mar
Summary
- He transformed Houston Ballet into a major American company.
- His choreography was performed by major companies worldwide.
- Stevenson's career spanned decades as a dancer and director.
Ben Stevenson, a distinguished British-born ballet choreographer, passed away Sunday in Fort Worth at the age of 89 due to a cardiac event.
Stevenson's influence on ballet is profound, having built the Houston Ballet into one of America's largest and most respected companies during his tenure from 1976 to 2003. His creations, including "Three Preludes," "Cinderella," and "Dracula," were performed by major companies across the globe.
Born in Portsmouth, England, Stevenson began his dance journey at age seven. He danced with the Royal Ballet and London Festival Ballet before immigrating to the United States, where his directorial career flourished. His work at Harkness Youth Dancers and the National Ballet of Washington, D.C., preceded his impactful leadership in Houston.
Under his artistic direction, Houston Ballet's repertoire expanded to include numerous classics and innovative new narratives. Stevenson also mentored notable dancers like Lauren Anderson and Carlos Acosta, and championed works by other choreographers, leaving a lasting legacy.
