News of Note: What You Might Have Missed in May 2026

Here are the latest promotions, appointments, and departures; notable awards and accomplishments; and new funding opportunities from May 2026.

Comings & Goings

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company associate artistic director Qarrianne Blayr has been named artistic director, succeeding Debbie Blunden-Diggs, who has concurrently served as chief executive and artistic director.

Adam Blyde has been promoted from rehearsal director to associate artistic director at The Joffrey Ballet.

Tariq O’Meally was dismissed from his position as artistic director of Washington, DC’s Dance Place on May 28. The organization indicated that it would restructure and remain without an artistic director, instead operating under the sole direction of executive director André Mazelin.

Ballet West artistic director Adam Sklute will retire at the conclusion of the 2026–27 season.

Whitney McIntosh-Joseph has joined Dancewave as executive director.

Kevin Condardo has joined Gibney as chief operating officer.

Sara Nash has joined New England Foundation for the Arts as its inaugural chief impact officer.

Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber have been named resident choreographers at Ballet BC, beginning with the 2026–27 season.

At The Australian Ballet, Davi Ramos has been promoted to principal.

At San Francisco Ballet, effective at the start of the 2026–27 season, Alexis Francisco Valdes has been promoted to soloist, Rubén Cítores Nieto, Jacey Gailliard, Leili Rackow, and Lucas López to demi-soloist.

At Philadelphia Ballet, effective at the start of the 2026–27 season, Jorge Garcia Alonso, Mine Kusano, and Gabriela Mesa have been promoted to soloist, and Javier Rivet to demi-soloist.

At Ballet West, beginning with the 2026­–27 season, Rylee Ann Rogers has been promoted to first soloist, Nicole Fannéy, Lexi McCloud, Loren Walton, and William Lynch to soloist, and Maren Florence and Jonas Malinka-Thompson to demi-soloist. Principal Amy Potter will retire at the conclusion of the current season.

Wonderbound’s Morgan Sicklick retired after giving her final performance on May 17.

Boston Ballet principal Lasha Khozashvili will retire at the conclusion of the current season. His final performance is scheduled for June 7.

Oregon Ballet Theatre principal Carly Wheaton will retire at the conclusion of the season. Her final performance is scheduled for June 14.

National Ballet of Canada first soloist Jenna Savella will retire at the conclusion of the current season.

Philadelphia Ballet music director Beatrice Jona Affron will join New York City Ballet as associate music director, succeeding Andrews Sill, in August.

Awards & Honors

Winners at the 2026 Chita Rivera Awards included Christopher Gattelli (Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show, Schmigadoon!), Max Clayton (Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show, Schmigadoon!), Robert “Silk” Mason (Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show, CATS: The Jellicle Ball), Isabelle McCalla (Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show, Schmigadoon!), the ensemble of Schmigadoon! (Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show), Aakomon Jones (Outstanding Choreography in a Feature Film, Sinners), and Steve Boettcher (Outstanding Direction of a Dance Documentary, Dick Van Dyke, 100th Celebration).

At the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Choreography was a tie between Christopher Gattelli (Schmigadoon!) and Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons (CATS: The Jellicle Ball).

Christopher Gattelli won the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Choreography for Schmigadoon!

Edgar Godineaux and Jared Grimes received the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreographer for Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole.

Emily Johnson/Catalyst was named to A Blade of Grass’ 2026 In Fellowship cohort and will receive a $25,000 unrestricted honorarium and $25,000 in support toward a specific project.

Michael Novak received Columbia University’s Medal for Excellence.

Boston Dance Alliance will honor Peter DiMuro and Laura Young with its 2026 Dr. Michael Shannon Dance Champion Award and Lynda Rieman with the 2026 Unsung Hero Award at an event on June 28.

New Funding Opportunity

Louisville Ballet has launched the Commonwealth Choreography Award, which will grant $100,000 toward the creation of a new work for the company, including a $25,000 honorarium for the selected choreographer, annually. The deadline for applications for the inaugural award is Friday, June 5. More information here.