After two years of service, Barry C. Hughson, is resigning from his position as the Atlanta Ballet’s executive director. He will finish out the current season in Atlanta before taking the helm of the Boston Ballet, the fifth-largest dance company in America, on June 1.
“My wife and I have loved our time in Atlanta, and we will miss this amazing company, the city, and the dear friends we have made here,” Hughson stated. “Atlanta has a treasure in the Atlanta Ballet, and I am proud to have been able to make a contribution to this remarkable legacy that began nearly 80 years ago.” The father of a young child, Hughson also is looking forward to the move to Massachusetts, which will put him near the rest of his New England-based family.
During his tenure, Hughson helped move the company to the Cobb Energy Performance Arts Center and engineered the sale of its West Peachtree building, effectively eliminating Atlanta Ballet’s accumulated debt. Hughson also was instrumental in bringing live music back to the ballet and developing the $14.8 million “Choreographing Our Future” fundraising campaign, which, to-date, has raised $11.2 million.
“Barry has accomplished so much in his time here,” stated Sandy Rose, chairman of the ballet’s board of trustees. “While we will miss him, he is leaving us in a unique position of strength as we move the ballet forward, and for that, we are deeply grateful.”
