Christopher Wheeldon
Christopher Wheeldon choreographer | |
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Known for | ballet |
Awards | Prix de Lausanne |
Christopher Peter Wheeldon
Life and career
Born in
In 1993, at the age of 19, Wheeldon moved to New York City to join the New York City Ballet. Wheeldon was named Soloist in 1998.[1]
Wheeldon began choreographing for the New York City Ballet in 1997, while continuing his career as a dancer. He retired as a dancer in 2000 in order to focus on his choreography.
In 2001, Wheeldon became the New York City Ballet resident choreographer and first resident artist. He was productive in this position, choreographing a number of much lauded works for the troupe, Polyphonia being the first. He quickly developed a reputation as a talented choreographer, and several other eminent ballet companies, such as the San Francisco Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, and the Royal Ballet, London have commissioned dances from him. As of May 2003, Wheeldon had composed at least 23 works.
In November 2006, Wheeldon announced the formation of
An Emmy award-winning fly-on-the-wall television documentary Strictly Bolshoi followed Wheeldon as he became the first Englishman to be invited to create a new work for the Bolshoi Ballet.
In the June/July 2009 issue of
In 2011, Wheeldon premiered a full-length ballet
In 2014, Wheeldon premiered another full-length ballet,
Wheeldon was appointed an
In December 2016, Mr Wheeldon premiered his freshly choreographed Nutcracker along with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. Instead of the traditional upper-class party scene, Wheeldon has opted for a 'shack scene' which will take place in Chicago's south side. Marie will then be introduced to the enchanted world of sweets and foreign places.
On 6 June 2019, Wheeldon's Cinderella in-the-round with English National Ballet was premiered at the Royal Albert Hall with over 90 dancers, and projections which created the fairytale setting.
On February 1, 2022, MJ the Musical opened on Broadway. Wheeldon was nominated for Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography at the Tony Awards, winning the latter.[8]
In 2023, he was a jury member at Prix de Lausanne ballet competitions.
Personal life
Wheeldon married yoga instructor Ross Rayburn in 2013. The ceremony took place on Fire Island, NY and was captured in a Vimeo video by Daniel Robinson.[9]
Honors
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See also
Footnotes
- ^ a b Brown, Mark. "Ballet world abuzz at British choreographer's huge gamble," Manchester Guardian, 5 January 2007.
- ^ Playbill, New York City Ballet, January 2008.
- ^ Club Pointe, February, 2010
- ^ "Issue Number 1027 | Forty Under 40: Arts | Advocate.com". Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ Christopher Wheeldon Royal Opera House, accessed 19 December 2012
- ^ "Christopher Wheeldon – People – Royal Opera House". www.roh.org.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
- ^ "No. 61450". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 2015. p. N26.
- ^ Evans, Greg (13 June 2021). "Michael Jackson Musical 'MJ' Hits Broadway In December; Ephraim Sykes In Title Role". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "Wedding of Christopher Wheeldon & Ross Rayburn Recap". Retrieved 16 March 2015.
References
- Carman, Joseph. The evolution of Christopher Wheeldon, Dance Magazine, May, 2003 Archived 5 September 2004 at the Wayback Machine
- Carman, Joseph. "Christopher Wheeldon: Making the Most Out of Both Ballet Worlds," Dance Magazine, November 1996.
- Christopher Wheeldon, NY Times archive