Ben Stevenson, OBE, was one of the most distinguished figures in the history of American ballet — a choreographer, artistic visionary, and educator whose influence shaped companies and careers worldwide.
Born in Portsmouth, England, Stevenson trained at the Arts Education School in London before embarking on a performing career with the Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet and English National Ballet, where he danced principal roles in the full canon of classical repertoire. His talent as both a dancer and choreographer earned him three gold medals at the International Ballet Competitions in 1972, 1982, and 1986 — a remarkable achievement that cemented his standing in the international ballet world.
In December 1999, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Stevenson an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his contributions to the art form. The following year, he received the prestigious Dance Magazine Award. In 2005, he was honored with the Texas Medal of Arts, and in 2018, the Chinese government recognized him as an influential foreign expert across four decades of cultural exchange.
Stevenson joined Texas Ballet Theater in 2003, where he served as Artistic Director for nearly two decades, inspiring generations of dancers and building the company into an organization of international renown. Named Artistic Director Laureate in 2022, his full-length choreographic works — including Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Dracula, and Cleopatra — continue to touch hearts as they are performed by companies worldwide, a testament to his enduring spirit.
Ben Stevenson passed away in 2026, leaving a lasting legacy. To honor his enduring impact, Texas Ballet Theater will name its new campus after him.
Biography sourced from: texasballettheater.org