North Texas has lost one of its defining arts voices. Ben Stevenson, O.B.E., the acclaimed choreographer and longtime artistic director who reshaped both Texas Ballet Theater and Houston Ballet, died yesterday, at age 89, just days before his 90th birthday on April 4. For decades, his productions and teaching helped mold dancers across Texas and far beyond, and his absence will be felt across the DFW dance community as companies move through their spring seasons.
In a statement, the Ben Stevenson Trust confirmed that Stevenson died yesterday and said his cause of death has not been made public. "His spirit will live on in every performance," Tim O'Keefe, artistic director of Texas Ballet Theater, said in the trust's statement.
From Portsmouth To Houston: A Career Built On Big Productions
Born April 4, 1936, in Portsmouth, England, Stevenson trained at London's Arts Educational School before joining the ranks of Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet and London Festival Ballet. He later moved to the United States, where his reputation grew on the strength of lush, story-driven productions and meticulous coaching.
He led Houston Ballet from 1976 to 2003, founding what became the Houston Ballet Academy and staging full-length productions including Swan Lake, Cinderella and Romeo and Juliet, according to Houston Ballet. The company notes that Stevenson was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1999 and received the Dance Magazine Award in 2000.
Texas Ballet Theater And A Homegrown Legacy
Stevenson took over at Texas Ballet Theater in 2003, steering the company for nearly two decades. He served as artistic director through 2022, when the company named him artistic director laureate.
Even after stepping back from the top job, he stayed deeply involved with the troupe. As reported by CultureMap Dallas, he continued to coach dancers, set productions in North Texas and was seen at a mixed-repertory performance only weeks ago.
'Swan Lake' Run Becomes Stevenson's Final DFW Curtain Call
Texas Ballet Theater is scheduled to present Ben Stevenson’s production of Swan Lake at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House in Dallas, May 1-3 and at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, May 15-17, the company says. Texas Ballet Theater lists the two-act staging as Stevenson’s and notes that it will feature the company's principals and orchestra.
Among his honors, Stevenson was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and received major international competition medals along with the Dance Magazine Award for his work in choreography and company building, according to Houston Ballet. The Ben Stevenson Trust said details about memorial services will be announced at a later date.
