Alexei Ratmansky

Actor

Alexei Ratmansky is a renowned ballet dancer and choreographer, originally from Russia. He was born on August 27, 1968, in St. Petersburg. Ratmansky trained at the Bolshoi Ballet School and went on to dance with the Ukrainian National Ballet, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Canada, and the Royal Danish Ballet. He began his choreographic career while still performing, eventually transitioning full-time to choreography. One of his significant early works was "Bolero" for the Mariinsky Ballet in 1997. In 2004, he became the artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, where he revitalized the company with contemporary and inventive choreographic works. Some of his notable pieces include "The Bright Stream," "The Bolt," and "Russian Seasons." After his tenure at the Bolshoi, Ratmansky became the artist in residence at the American Ballet Theatre in 2009, creating acclaimed works such as "The Nutcracker," "Shostakovich Trilogy," and "Whipped Cream." Ratmansky has received numerous awards for his contributions to ballet, including the prestigious Prix Benois de la Danse and a MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the "genius grant." His work has significantly influenced contemporary ballet, blending traditional forms with innovative choreography.