Adam Sklute to Retire as Ballet West Artistic Director After 20 Years
Adam Sklute, artistic director of Ballet West, announced his retirement after the 2026-27 season, marking the longest tenure in the company's history. Under his leadership since 2007, the operating budget nearly tripled, the subscription base grew despite national declines, and touring expanded nationwide. Sklute increased the dancer roster's diversity, introduced new choreography through the Innovations program (later the Choreographic Festival and Works from Within), and expanded the academy to 900 students across three counties. The company's 'Nutcracker,' deemed a Living Historic Landmark by the Utah Legislature, remains a centerpiece. Sklute previously danced with and helped relocate the Joffrey Ballet to Chicago. Ballet West will conduct an international search for his successor, with the 2026-27 season celebrating his tenure. Board chair Jennifer Huntsman and executive director Michael Scolamiero praised his transformative impact.
Key facts
- Adam Sklute will retire as Ballet West artistic director after the 2026-27 season.
- Sklute has served as artistic director since 2007, the longest tenure in the company's history.
- Under Sklute, Ballet West's operating budget nearly tripled.
- The company's subscription base grew amid national declining trends.
- Sklute expanded the dancer roster to include more Utah-native dancers and diverse backgrounds.
- He created the Innovations program, which evolved into the Choreographic Festival and Works from Within.
- The Ballet West Academy expanded to 900 students across three counties.
- Ballet West will conduct an international search for Sklute's successor.
Entities
Artists
- Adam Sklute
- Willam F. Christensen
Institutions
- Ballet West
- Ballet West Academy
- Joffrey Ballet
- Utah Legislature
Locations
- Salt Lake City
- Utah
- New York City
- Chicago
- United States