Beginning in mid-February 2025, Ivan Gil-Ortega will become Queensland Ballet‘s seventh Artistic Director following Greg Horsman, the company’s Acting Artistic Director. His appointment coincides with the Brisbane-based company’s 65th anniversary.
Gil-Ortega was selected after a search that focused on candidates that have collaborated with the company in the past and who are therefore familiar with the culture. Gil-Ortega most recently worked as Derek Deane’s right-hand man in the staging of the choreographer’s Strictly Gerswhin for Queensland Ballet in 2023.
In a statement, Brett Clark AM, Board Chair, expresses:
“We are thrilled to welcome Ivan to the Queensland Ballet family following a stellar career on stage, in studio and working alongside some of ballet’s leading lights. Throughout the recruitment process, Ivan articulated his vision very clearly with a particular focus on our dancers of today and our dancers of tomorrow, through the work of our Academy.
He is also brimming with ideas around nurturing home-grown talent here in Australia as well as exploring world-stage collaborations and exchanges which will see him leaning into his international peers and networks.
Ivan and his family are very much looking forward to calling Queensland home and we cannot wait to see them here very soon.”
Dilshani Weerasinghe, Executive Director of Queensland Ballet adds, “In seeking our next Artistic Director, we leaned into our inner circles… Ivan has worked with us on multiple occasions, knows our team and many of our dancers, and is a friend of our collaborators around the world.
Given our intense growth and transformation since 2013, we have some unique considerations including the need to continue to advocate for Federal funding parity for Queenslanders, Queensland Ballet and arts organisations in Queensland, continue to be relevant to our audiences and our wider community, and continue to engage meaningfully with our family of generous corporate partners, members and donors.
Ivan joins us with some exciting ideas in all these spaces, is already known to some in our donor family, and we are very much looking forward to his fresh thinking and energy.”
About Ivan Gil-Ortega
A Madrid (Spain) native, Gil-Ortega began his professional career at Stuttgart Ballet in 1995 where he moved through the ranks to Soloist (1996) and Principal Dancer (2001) during which time he danced leading roles in John Cranko’s Onegin, The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, and Swan Lake. He then joined Dutch National Ballet for a season as a Principal Dancer.
Gil-Ortega has also worked extensively as a ballet assistant and stager for Carlos Acosta, Christian Spuck, Goyo Montero, and Derek Deane, most notably with:
- English National Ballet (Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet)
- Staatstheater Nürnberg (Nutcracker, Cinderella, The Sleeping Beauty)
- Birmingham Royal Ballet (Chacona)
- Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (The Sleeping Beauty)
- Teatro San Carlo in Naples (The Lady of the Camellias)
- National Ballet of Croatia (The Lady of the Camellias)
- Shanghai Ballet (Nutcracker, Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, Swan Lake, Le Fantome de L’operá, The Lady of the Camelias )
“I am truly excited to step into the role of Artistic Director at Queensland Ballet. This is a Company I have always admired and one that has dared to dream big. It feels like everything has aligned perfectly to make this the right opportunity for me and for Queensland Ballet – the people, the place, and the potential. This is a dream come true for me and my family, and I am eager to add my energy and passion to the inspiring Queensland Ballet team.
I am committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere that respects and honours the legacy of ballet while pushing creative boundaries, leading with integrity, respect, passion, and dedication. I have long admired Queensland Ballet and Queenslanders, and I cannot wait to get started.“
– Ivan Gil-Ortega, Incoming Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet
Featured Photo of Queensland Ballet‘s next Artistic Director Ivan Gil-Ortega. Photo by Karine Grace.
