Pittsburgh Ballet artistic director to retire in 2020

Terrence S. Orr, artistic director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for 22 years, will retire next June after the ballet company concludes its 50th anniversary season.

Under his leadership, Mr. Orr expanded the the company’s repertory with more than 20 new commissions and dozens of

acquisitions. He has debuted ambitious story ballets such as “La Bayadere,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.” He curated masterworks by major choreographers including Jerome Robbins, Jiri Kylian and Twyla Tharp. He also provided a platform for emerging choreographers, including from within the company. His original production of “The Nutcracker” has been a Pittsburgh classic for nearly 20 years.

During his tenure, the company has grown its ticket sales, school enrollment and campus. It has debuted the country’s first professional sensory-friendly production of “The Nutcracker” and increased accessibility and educational programming in the theater, studio and community.

“I have made Pittsburgh my home and certainly my life ever since,” Mr. Orr said in a statement. He has lived in Sewickley with his wife, PBT ballet mistress Marianna Tcherkassky, since becoming PBT artistic director in 1997. “It has been exciting to watch the company grow and rise to incredible heights.”

“We’ve developed a distinct voice and special place in the city where you can experience the great classics, the great choreographers and the emerging voices moving this art form into the future,” according to his statement.

A California native, Mr. Orr, 76, began his dance career at San Francisco Ballet, where he rose to principal dancer by age 17. He went on to a celebrated career at New York City’s American Ballet Theatre, rising from corps de ballet to principal dancer. He joined ABT’s artistic staff while he was still performing and served as ballet master from 1978 to 1997.

The PBT board will form a search committee and begin looking for a new artistic director starting this summer.