Michael Smuin

Michael Smuin was a ballet dancer, choreographer, and theatrical director from the United States. He was born in Missoula, Montana in 1938. He was recognized by the director of the San Francisco Ballet when he was 14 and qualified to study dancing at the University of Utah. He began dancing with that company at the age of 15 in 1953 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a principal.

Smuin was co-artistic director of the San Francisco Ballet from 1973 to 1985. He danced with that company from 1953 to 1961, and then with the American Ballet Theatre, where he was both a main dancer and a choreographer. He began his career with the San Francisco Ballet as a ballet prodigy. After choreographing and dancing for American Ballet Theater in New York, he returned to the San Francisco Ballet as co-artistic director. With only 12 to 15 dancers and a concentration on new works, Smuin Ballet, which he founded in 1994, wanted to be lean and innovative.

Michael Smuin's ability to interact with audiences sets him apart as a master of the delicate points of classical ballet. His inclusion of aspects from contemporary culture, such as break-dancing, split critics but drew in many unfamiliar with ballet.

Born: 1938
Died: 2007
Nationality: American