Julie Kent joins Houston Ballet as first co-artistic director in dance company’s history
Moviegoers will recognize Julie Kent for her big-screen role in the 2000 film “Center Stage.” Ballet aficionados know her as one of the most accomplished dancers of all time. Next year, she makes history as the first co-artistic director of Houston Ballet.
Beginning July 2023, Kent will share the role of artistic director with Stanton Welch, a position she currently holds with the Washington Ballet.
“This is going to be transformative. There aren’t many companies with co-director positions,” said Houston Ballet board president Kristy Bradshaw. “Bringing this kind of talent will improve our dancers’ development. Stanton will be able to create more. This is going to attract more talent to our organization, knowing that we have this combination.”
With a 30-year tenure with American Ballet Theatre, Kent is the longest-serving ballerina in the company’s 83-year history. She has performed in more than 100 ballets spanning all genres, from classical to contemporary.
In 2014, Kent performed in Welch’s production of “Clear” for Houston Ballet’s Jubilee of Dance, a role Welch created for her.
Though she officially joins the company next summer, Houston Ballet patrons can expect to see Kent as soon as December. She will consult on the 2022 Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance Dec. 2 at Wortham Theater Center.
Kent retired from dancing in 2015 and joined Washington Ballet as artistic director the following year. In that role, she commissioned 26 world premieres by 17 different choreographers.
Over the years, she and Welch developed a friendship.
“Stanton is a choreographer, he just wants to create. That’s what he loves to do,” Bradshaw says. “(Kent) loves the dancers, and will be able to focus on what she does best.”
Kent is married to Washington Ballet associate artistic director Victor Barbee. The couple and their two children plan to relocate to Houston by next summer.
“I am honored to serve Houston Ballet as the first-ever co-artistic director and thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the remarkable Houston Ballet community,” Kent said in a statement. “I have greatly admired Stanton and his brilliant work for more than 20 years, and I am deeply excited to partner with him in launching an exhilarating next chapter. I look forward to sharing many significant milestones in the years ahead and making many new and meaningful relationships throughout the city.”