Alexei Ratmansky Joins New York City Ballet

Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan have announced that Alexei Ratmansky joins New York City Ballet as Artist in Residence in August 2023, soon after his contract with American Ballet Theatre is up.

Ratmanksy will create a new work for NYCB each year of his initial five-year contract, the first one premiering during 2023 Winter Season as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. This will be his seventh ballet for the company; his others include:

Russian Seasons (2006)
Concerto DSCH (2008)
Namouna, A Grand Divertissement (2010)
Pictures at an Exhibition (2014)
Odessa (2017)
Voices (2020)

Along with his choreographic role, Ratmanksy will also be responsible for overseeing and rehearsing all of his ballets.

“This opportunity at New York City Ballet has opened a new creative door for me. After working with the company over the years, I am profoundly grateful for the chance to begin a new innovative conversation with the artists of NYCB, and its audiences, as Artist in Residence at the beginning of its 75th Anniversary season. This role will allow me to devote my time and attention to making ballets, and is a true gift to a choreographer. For NYCB to commit to my work is an honor and I look forward to what will follow. I want to thank the artists, board, staff, and supporters of NYCB for this opportunity.”

Alexei Ratmansky

Future Artist in Residence of New York City Ballet

Alexei Ratmansky Joins New York City Ballet

“We are very excited to welcome Alexei Ratmansky to his new artistic home at New York City Ballet,” said Stafford and Whelan in making the announcement. “Alexei is one of the most important figures in the world of ballet and we know that he will enrich our repertory, inspire our dancers and musicians, and thrill our audiences with his extraordinary artistry.”

Both Stafford and Whelan worked with Ratmansky while dancers of New York City Ballet, the latter creating roles in Russian Seasons, Concerto DSCH, Namouna, A Grand Divertissement, and Pictures at an Exhibition.

They have also demonstrated their commitment to keeping Ratmansky’s ballets alive in the company’s repertory: one of his ballets is part of the 2023 Winter Season while another two will be in the programming for the 2023 Spring Season.

“Working in the studio with Alexei on the creation of his incredible ballets was one of the artistic highlights of my career as a dancer with NYCB. To have him now working with NYCB’s current generation of dancers on a regular basis is a dream come true and I can’t wait to see what he creates with our artists.”

Wendy Whelan

Associate Artistic Director of New York City Ballet

Ratmansky will become part of New York City Ballet’s artistic team which – along with Stafford and Whelan – includes Resident Choreographer and Artistic Advisor Justin Peck.