Our History

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet sprang to life in 1939 with founders Gweneth Lloyd O.C. and Betty Farrally O.C. From modest beginnings, the RWB has reached many significant milestones, including a Royal charter from Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, and has contributed significantly to the global ballet scene.

The RWB has performed in 44 countries and 595 cities around the world and is the longest continuously operated ballet company in North America.

1939

The Winnipeg Ballet Club, founded by Gweneth Lloyd and Betty Farrally, performs for the first time.

Gwenth Lloyd and Betty Farrally, Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

1940’s

vintage poster of the Winnipeg Ballet Club

1942

The Winnipeg Ballet Club changes its name to the Winnipeg Ballet.

1945

The Winnipeg Ballet company tours Canada for the first time.

1948

Winnipeg hosts first Canadian Ballet Festival.

1950’s

1953

The Winnipeg Ballet receives the first Royal charter granted by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Courtesy of RWB Archives

a black and white head shot of Arnold Spohr, a middle age white man with short dark hair

1958

Arnold Spohr C.C., O.M., former RWB dancer, assumes the role of artistic director, a position he holds until 1988.

a black and white photo of the Command Performance

1959

Command performance for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Artistic Director Arnold Sophr, Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

1960’s

a black and white head shot of Jean Mackenzie, a middle age white woman with short hair

1962

The RWB opens its General Division School under the direction of former RWB principal dancer Jean McKenzie.

Jean Mackenzie, Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

1967

Rose Latulippe, choreographed by Brian Macdonald, is the first full-length ballet filmed in colour for CBC English and French networks.

Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

a black and white photo of RWB in Russia wearing winter coats and hats

1968

RWB wins two Gold Medals at the Paris International Dance Competition. First Western ballet company to tour the USSR and Czechoslovakia.

RWB in Russia, Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

1970’s

1972

David Moroni C.M., former RWB dancer, becomes principal of the School’s newly formed Professional Division.

David Moroni, Professional Division Principal, Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

1972

First performance of Dancing in the Park (later known as Ballet in the Park).

a vintage photo of the RWB Company performing Grand Pas Espagnol

1975

First Canadian company to tour Israel.

RWB Company performing Grand Pas Espagnol, Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

Artistic Director Henny Jurriens, Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

1980’s

a black and white photo of Evelyn Hart and David Peregrine in Varna, Bulgaria holding awards

1980

RWB principal dancers Evelyn Hart and David Peregrine win Gold and Bronze Medals at the World Ballet Concours in Japan.

Evelyn Hart and David Peregrine in Varna, Bulgaria; Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

1988

Henny Jurriens is appointed Artistic Director, but is killed in a car accident the following year. The RWB becomes only the second ballet company in North America to have a building built specifically for the organization when 380 Graham Avenue opens for business in January.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony; Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

Artistic Director André Lewis, Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

1990’s

John Meehan with RWB Dancer rehearsing in studios

1990

John Meehan becomes Artistic Director.

John Meehan with RWB Dancer, Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

a black and white head shot of William Whitener, a middle age white male with short dark hair

1993

William Whitener is appointed Artistic Director.

William Whitener, Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

black and white photo of the old Student Boarding

1995

First Student Boarding, located at 236 Carlton Street, opens.

Black and white head shot of André Lewis, a white middle age man with dark short hair

1996

André Lewis, who had been serving as Interim Artistic Director, is officially appointed to the position.

André Lewis, Photo Courtesy of RWB Archives

2000’s

2002

Guy Maddin’s film, Dracula-Pages From a Virgin’s Diary, which is based on Mark Godden’s Dracula ballet and features RWB dancers, wins an International Emmy.

Vintage Poster of RWB's Asian Tour 2001 with two dancers performing a classical pose

2005

RWB is awarded the ‘Touring Artist of the Year Award’ for the 2004/05 season by the Canadian Arts Presenting Association.

RWB Company performing Going Home Star Truth and Reconciliation, Photo by Samanta Katz

2010’s

dancers performing Moulin Rouge on stage

2010

The RWB shatters box office records presenting Moulin Rouge The Ballet to nearly 50,000 people across North America.

RWB Company, Photo by Michelle Blais

Dancers performing the Handmaids Tale on stage

2013

Canadian literary icon, Margaret Atwood joins André Lewis in Winnipeg for an onstage conversation in advance of the World Premiere of The Handmaid’s Tale, based on the novel by Margaret Atwood.

RWB Company, Photo by Leif Norman

2014

Commissioned by Artistic Director André Lewis with the support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Going Home Star—Truth and Reconciliation, based on a story of residential school experiences, premieres to Winnipeg audiences in May.

RWB Company, Photo by Samanta Katz

2016

RWB Company dancers Yue Shi and Saeka Shirai are awarded Silver Medals at the Varna International Ballet Competition in Bulgaria.

Saeka Shirai and Yue Shi, Photo Victor Viktorov, Courtesy of RWB Archives

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