Peter Boal Renews Contract with Pacific Northwest Ballet

Marcie Sillman
09/30/2009

Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Director Peter Boal has signed on for another five years in Seattle.

When Peter Boal came to Seattle, he had more than 20 years of experience as a dancer with New York City Ballet. Even though he had directed a small chamber dance ensemble, Boal had never managed an arts organization the size of Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Boal: "And I did throw myself into this job headfirst. I wanted to meet everybody out there, I wanted to attend every event. You know, people were somewhat suspicious of somebody coming in from New York."

He calls this a massive job, but looking back at his tenure, it doesn't seem the lack of experience held him back.

At the start of his fifth season in Seattle, Peter Boal can boast that PNB is on relatively solid financial ground in an era where other arts organizations are drastically downsizing. New work, including two commissions last year from acclaimed choreographer Twyla Tharp, has been very popular with audiences. And East Coast critics have been lavish in their praise of the company, helping to cement its national reputation. For his next five years with PNB, Peter Boal plans to celebrate the company's 40th anniversary with more new dances.

Boal: "I have some big names I'd like to approach about doing works there. And also, I'd like to, around that occasion, have some more significant touring. We haven't really be able to do that. I also felt a responsibility to be strong at home first, and earn our reputation from the McCaw Hall outwards."

Pacific Northwest Ballet opened its artistic season at McCaw Hall last week with a production of "Romeo and Juliette" that received glowing reviews from the critics. It's onstage through Sunday.

I'm Marcie Sillman, KUOW News.

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