.jpg)
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet opened a new chapter in its storied history when it announced its new artistic director.
On the Piano Nobile at the Centennial Concert Hall, RWB board chair John Osler together with outgoing artistic director Andre Lewis introduced Christopher Stowell as the new creative head of the 85-year-old Winnipeg institution.
“I can’t believe my good fortune at now taking on the artistic leadership of this Canadian gem,” Stowell said. “With 85 years of impact across the globe and a future full of promise, I see the RWB expanding its reach, inspiring, and guiding new generations of dancers and dance enthusiasts, telling new stories, and strengthening its reputation as a welcoming hub of creativity for all.”
Stowell’s appointment comes after a nine-month international search after Lewis announced his retirement back in 2023. Stowell has previously served as the associate artistic director at the National Ballet of Canada, as well as artistic director of Oregon Ballet Theatre. Prior to his career as an administrator, Stowell danced for 16 years with the San Francisco Ballet, and appeared as a performer in some of the most storied halls in ballet from New York’s Lincoln Centre to the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
Speaking with reporters after the announcement, Stowell said that one of the foundational memories of his ballet education was seeing the Royal Winnipeg Ballet on tour in Seattle, where he trained at the Pacific Northwest Ballet school. “They were known as having a fresh, exciting way of moving,” he said, also highlighting the unique and innovative repertoire that made the ballet a household name all over the world.
Stowell’s association with the RWB goes back even further. His parents, Kent Stowell and Francia Russell were also former artistic directors, and each of them had long associations with the RWB.
While Stowell looks to further the ballet’s pedigree of innovation and exploration with initiatives such as more performances outside of the Centennial Concert Hall, he’s also mindful of the ballet’s legacy. “While respecting the institution’s 85-year history… I see the RWB staking new territory, striving for the next level of quality and reach, and building a future based on creativity and collaboration.”
This announcement marks the first change in artistic leadership at the RWB since Lewis first assumed the role back in 1996. “I was hopeful that the Board would appoint someone who understood just how important this role is to the RWB and the communities we live and work in,” he said in a press release. “I can leave knowing that Stowell acknowledges our deep history and commitment to bringing the joy of dance to our communities and inspiring innovation for future generations of patrons and dancers.”
Stowell joins an executive team that includes executive director Elena Tupyseva, who joined the RWB’s ranks back in 2023. The roles of executive director and artistic director had previously been jointly held by Lewis, but had recently been separated back into two roles. Stowell’s tenure officially begins in June.