Priscilla Crommelin-Ball, Director of The Montgomery Ballet, in Alabama, announces the
appointment of Mr. Elie Lazar, as new Artistic Director

Priscilla Crommelin-Ball is excited to announce the appointment of Mr. Elie Lazar as The Montgomery, Ballet's new Artistic Director to lead the Montgomery Ballet Professional Company and School to the next level of excellence. The appointment of Mr. Lazar follows a decade of leadership by Priscilla Crommelin-Ball, who will continue serving the company as Executive Director.

Elie Lazar, a sought after professional dancer, teacher and choreographer is critically acclaimed as "narrowing the gap between classical ballet tradition and the cutting edge of dance expression". The new Artistic Director will drive the company's role as a nationally known presence in the dance community and continue the Montgomery Ballet's classical tradition, adding new classical ballets, neo-classical ballets, and contemporary ballets to its existing repertoire.

As a dancer, Mr. Lazar was the first Israeli to win a medal at the renowned International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. He danced professionally with the Israel National Ballet, the Haifa Ballet, the New Jersey Ballet and made guest appearances with major companies around the world. Before founding his own company, Mr. Lazar directed the Joffrey Ensemble Dancers in New York City, organizing and training students from the Joffrey Ballet School to form his own company, Lazar Ballet NYC. He also designed an educational program of lecture demonstrations to educate school children about the art of ballet, and implemented a dance program for inner city, at-risk youth in New York and New Jersey. His teaching commitments have included classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, New Jersey Ballet, East Carolina University, University of Kansas City, Tokyo City Ballet and the Southeast Regional Ballet Association.

Mr. Lazar is dedicated to accomplishing his goal of putting The Montgomery Ballet on the map as the best professional company and school in the Southeast. Mr. Lazar was introduced to the Montgomery audience in February 2007 with his breathtaking new staging of "Swan Lake" Act II. Having been impressed with the excellent training in the Montgomery Ballet School, and the expertise and artistry of the Montgomery Ballet Professional Company, Mr. Lazar is eager to begin his new job.

Ms. Crommelin-Ball and the Ballet's Board of Directors are proud that Mr. Lazar has chosen to share his many talents with Montgomery, and that he has chosen the City of Montgomery as his new home. He will begin his tenure during the summer when he will direct the Montgomery Ballet's Summer Intensive Seminar from July 2 - 20, 2007. The "Performance on the Green", the first performance of Montgomery Ballet's 50th Anniversary Season, on July 20, 2007, will feature classical ballet, as well as new contemporary ballets by Mr. Lazar.

The Montgomery Ballet is looking forward to welcoming Mr. Lazar to the Capital City as Montgomery Ballet's new Artistic Director!

Elie Lazar Photo © & courtesy of Phil Bello

Montgomery Ballet - Swan Lake - Staged by Elie Lazar Photo © & courtesy of Emily Thomas

Montgomery Ballet - Swan Lake - Staged by Elie Lazar Photo © & courtesy of Emily Thomas