Michael Smuin (October 13, 1938 – April 23, 2007) was an American ballet dancer, choreographer and theatre director. He was co-founder and director of his own dance company, the Smuin Ballet in San Francisco.
Michael Smuin | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 13, 1938 |
| Died | April 23, 2007 (aged 68) San Francisco, California, US |
| Occupation(s) | Choreographer, dancer |
| Years active | 1970s-2007 |
| Spouse | Paula Tracy (1961–2000) |
Biography
editBorn in Missoula, Montana, Smuin was a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and the San Francisco Ballet, for which he served as co-artistic director from 1973 through 1985. In 1994 he founded Smuin Ballet.[1] He also choreographed for the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Washington Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Milwaukee Ballet.[2]
Smuin's Broadway credits included Little Me (1962) as a dancer, Anything Goes (1987) as a choreographer, and Sophisticated Ladies (1981) and Shogun: The Musical (1990) as choreographer and director. He also choreographed the 1995 West End production of Mack and Mabel.
Smuin's film credits included The Fantasticks, A Walk in the Clouds, The Joy Luck Club, The Cotton Club, and Rumble Fish.
Smuin collapsed and died of a heart attack while teaching company class in San Francisco.
Awards and nominations
edit- Awards
- 1984 Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography – Great Performances: Dance in America
- 1988 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Anything Goes
- 1988 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography – Anything Goes
- Nominations
- 1981 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Sophisticated Ladies
- 1981 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical – Sophisticated Ladies
- 1981 Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography – Great Performances: Dance in America
References
edit- ^ Ryce, Walter (6 June 2013). "Smuin Ballet balances art and entertainment". Monterey County Weekly. Seaside, California, United States. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ Tribune Staff. "125 Montana Newsmakers: Michael Smuin". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
- Steven Winn (23 April 2007). "SF dance pioneer Michael Smuin collapses, dies". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
- Steven Winn (24 April 2007). "Michael Smuin: 1938-2007, Prolific dance director had showy career". The San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
