Arpino Named Artistic Director of Joffrey Ballet

Gerald Arpino has been appointed to succeed the late Robert Joffrey as artistic director of the Joffrey Ballet, the company announced today. Arpino, 60, was elected unanimously by the managing directors of the Foundation for the Joffrey Ballet.

Formerly the company’s associate director, Arpino was the co-founder of the Joffrey Ballet in 1956, served as one of its leading dancers in the early years and soon developed into a popular, prolific choreographer. (Of the 19 ballets announced for the May 3-22 Joffrey Ballet season in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, eight are Arpino creations.)

Before Joffrey’s death on March 25, he and Arpino reportedly planned the company repertory through the 1988-89 season and prepared an outline for several more years. “It was Bob’s stated request that we continue and that I become his successor,” Arpino said after his appointment was announced. “I plan to honor him in every way possible.”

“The board of directors and I want to assure everyone that the Joffrey Ballet will not only continue, but will flourish because Robert Joffrey was a master planner who left us an artistically viable legacy that is unparalleled.”

The foundation meetings in New York and Los Angeles also reconfirmed Penelope Currie as the company’s principal administrative officer and promoted Scott Barnard to the new position of chief ballet master.