Longtime Smuin Ballet director says she will step down

Celia Fushille, who took over as Smuin Ballet's artistic director after the sudden passing of founder Michael Smuin, is now set to hand the reigns to Amy Seiwert.

After a three-decade career with one of the Bay Area’s most popular dance companies, Smuin Contemporary Ballet artistic director Celia Fushille announced today she will step down at the end of the company’s 2024 season.

Smuin associate artistic director Amy Seiwert, a well-known Bay Area choreographer who runs her own company, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, will succeed Fushille as artistic director, the company said.

Fushille, the last of the 30-year-old Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s founding members, was the company’s principal dancer for more than 12 years and faced a daunting challenge when she was named artistic director 2007 following the sudden passing of founder Michael Smuin.

Smuin founded the company in 1994 and led it to fame and popularity with its evocative blending of ballet and contemporary dance styles.

Fushille was one of many Bay Area dance talents that Smuin mentored.

“I was honored when Michael Smuin approached me in November 1993 as he was forming his own company and asked me to come work with him,” Fushille recalled. “I had admired Michael since my teenage years, and to be mentored by him was a dream.”

Smuin’s passing shook the dancing world but in Fushille the company had a ready successor.

“It has been an unbridled pleasure to steer this company for the past 16 years, as it has grown and continued to thrive,” she said.

“Smuin owes an unfathomable debt to Celia,” said Madeleine Boshart, president of the Smuin Board of Trustees. “It isn’t an understatement to say she saved the company after Michael’s sudden passing, admirably and capably leading Smuin to its current position of stability.”

As a dancer, Fushille originated roles in some of Michael Smuin’s most enduring works, including “Frankie and Johnny,” “Cyrano,” “The Blue Angel” and “Santa Baby” from the company’s popular The Christmas Ballet.

During her time as artistic director, Fushille has been credited with expanding Smuin’s repertoire and mix of styles. She steered the company in presenting works of more than 20 choreographers new to the company, and commissioned 18 world premieres.

Now Seiwert, who has a long relationship with Fushille, is set to continue the company’s run as a popular fixture on the Bay Area dance scene.

“We thought it was imperative that Celia’s successor at this time be someone who also knew and worked with Michael, who understands and respects the distinct culture at Smuin and its legacy,” said Boshart. “We are absolutely thrilled to have someone as qualified, prepared and creative as Amy Seiwert ready to step into this role.”