Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Hires New Artistic Director

(Editor's Note: This article is taken, in part, from a press release from Gwinnett Ballet Theatre.)

board of directors recently announced the hiring of Wade Walthall as the artistic director for the nonprofit organization.

Walthall, who has served as an artisic director before, comes to Gwinnett Ballet Theatre with much experience. He was a former principal dancer with the National Ballet of Holland, National Ballet of Spain, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He also was a featured guest artist with numerous national and international companies and artists, performing hundreds of roles.

In addition, Walthall performed with Rudolph Nureyev’s Nureyev and Friends international tours and was featured as the principal male role in the film Nutcracker: the Motion Picture. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in dance from the University of Washington and a master’s degree of fine arts in dance from the University of Arizona.

“Teaching is one of my greatest passions and most rewarding experiences," Walthall said. "I like being an artistic director. I like choreographing productions and the training of young people."

In addition, he said, “The most rewarding periods of my life were when I was training young dancers and developing productions for them. I also enjoy developing a public following and reputation for my companies."

Walthall, who has performed in 18 countries across the world, has been reviewed and praised in such publications as The New York Times, Dance Magazine, San Francisco Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Seattle Times, and the Seattle Post-Intelligence, among others.

“It is my intention to use my education and experience to the general benefit of others,” Walthall said. “I hope to continue to learn, to teach, and to create work which stimulates, entertains, and inspires.”       

Walthall's first production at Gwinnett Ballet Theatre will be Cinderella. The production takes place March 3 at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center.

For more information about this production or about classes at Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, visit www.gwinnettballet.org or call 770-978-0188.