PNB directors Stowell, Russell will retire
The husband-and-wife team, who shepherded PNB from a tiny local troupe to an internationally acclaimed company and school, said today their departure has been long planned. Now that the company has been successfully relocated from the old Opera House to its new home at McCaw Hall, they said, it seemed an appropriate time to go.
"We had long felt that 25 years was a reasonable and important milestone," said Stowell. "When we started working on McCaw Hall, we felt it would be too disruptive for PNB to change leadership during that process." So they agreed to stay for one more season after the hall's completion — "one more season where we celebrate our wonderful audience and this community that's supported us and our dancers."
A leadership task force has been in place for more than a year to prepare for their departure. Stowell and Russell are part of a search committee to identify candidates for the position of artistic director and PNB School director.
Stowell and Russell's departure comes at a time of both artistic triumph and financial uncertainty. The company's well-received tribute to choreographer George Balanchine is in mid-run and selling 14 percent above projections. But PNB is also facing an accumulated deficit of $1.23(million, the largest in the company's history.
Stowell expressed optimism that the financial situation would soon improve. "We've worked very hard to eliminate the deficit and I think we'll end up the year in a positive stance," he said, referring to the box-office success of the season opener "Swan Lake" and the holiday perennial "Nutcracker."
After 27 years with PNB, Stowell and Russell look forward to some time away. Russell plans to continue her work staging Balanchine ballets; Stowell is contemplating "a few projects." "We want to be able to enjoy our children" — they have three adult sons — "enjoy some travel and reflection," said Stowell. "This is a job that is all-consuming."
Moira Macdonald: 206-464-2725( or mmacdonald@seattletimes.com