Julie Kent Is the New Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet

March 7, 2016

Julie Kent, who recently retired after an illustrious career with American Ballet Theatre, is the new artistic director of The Washington Ballet. She will assume her position on July 1 and is currently serving as the artistic director of ABT’s summer intensive. As artistic director, her duties will include overseeing the school, the main company and its trainee program, and community outreach.


Kent in Ashton’s A Month in the Country (photo by Marty Sohl)

Kent’s life in ballet includes 29 years at ABT, multiple awards (inlcuding the Erik Bruhn Prize and an honorary doctorate of performing arts from North Carolina School of the Arts) and international appearances. But before all that, Kent trained at the Academy of the Maryland Youth Ballet. Her return to the D.C. area brings her career full-circle.

Her husband and current ABT associate artistic director Victor Barbee will join her at TWB as the company’s associate artistic director. Their combined experience and fresh perspectives are sure to bring exciting changes to TWB.

For more news on all things ballet, don’t miss a single issue.