On October 24 The Australian Ballet honoured Artistic Director David McAllister AM on his 30-year anniversary with the company.
The Board, dancers and staff surprised him in the studios of the company’s headquarters in Melbourne with cake, balloons and streamers, and the screening of a specially commissioned mini-documentary. The film features rare performance and interview footage and historical imagery from The Australian Ballet’s extensive vaults, along with interviews with some of his closest colleagues.
To see a photo gallery of David’s career over 30 years, visit the Australian Ballet’s Facebook page or Behind Ballet blog and get lost in the memories. You can also join in the celebration by sending congratulations on to him on the Australian Ballet Twitter feed with the hashtag #david30.
The Chair of The Australian Ballet, Jim Cousins AO, said David’s contribution to the Australian dance community could not be understated.
“We’re incredibly lucky to have someone like David at the helm of The Australian Ballet; he has a deep love of the art form and understands its traditions but is always looking for ways to keep ballet relevant to today’s audience,” said Cousins.
“He’s also a fantastic leader and well respected in the arts and dance community, both here and internationally. I don’t think you could find someone who has a bad word to say about him, and he remains as enthusiastic and passionate about the company and dance as he was 30 years ago, which is just remarkable.”
David McAllister’s Career Timeline
1983
Joins The Australian Ballet
1985
Wins a Bronze Medal at the Fifth International Ballet Competition in Moscow
1986
Promoted to senior artist
Partners Elizabeth Toohey in Don Quixote at Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet
1988
Partners Elizabeth Toohey in Grand Tarantella at the Kirov Ballet
1989
Promoted to principal artist
1992
Performs Coppélia at the Royal Gala in London in the presence of Princess Diana
1995
Dances in the premiere season of Stanton Welch’s Madame Butterfly opposite Vicki Attard
2001
Dances for the final time in Giselle
Becomes Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet
2002
Commissions Graeme Murphy to create a new Swan Lake to mark the company’s 40th anniversary, which goes on to be a flagship work for The Australian Ballet
2004
Awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2004 Australia Day Honours List
Launches the emerging choreographers series Bodytorque
2005
Tours The Australian Ballet to London where the company receives a UK Critics Circle Award for Best Touring Company
2007
Leads The Australian Ballet to become the first performing arts company in Australia to simultaneously broadcast a performance into regional cinemas and across live-sites with The Nutcracker
Introduces a ground-breaking Parental Leave policy for dancers
2010
Secures an $8 million donation from The Ian Potter Foundation towards the redevelopment of the company’s Melbourne headquarters, the largest donation in The Australian Ballet’s history
Tours two distinctly Australian works to Japan – Graeme Murphy’s Nutcracker – The Story of Clara and Swan Lake
2012
Delivers an extraordinary year of activity both on and off the stage as The Australian Ballet turns 50, including the commission of five new works and a major tour to New York
2013
Celebrates a 30-year career with The Australian Ballet!
Photos courtesy of The Australian Ballet.
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