Englund, Richard, 1931-1991

American dancer, choreographer, director, and teacher, Richard Englund (1931-1991), served as the leader of several small dance companies, including the pioneering regional ballet company, Birmingham Civic Ballet, as well as training companies for both American Ballet Theatre and the Joffrey Ballet.

Born in Seattle, Washington, Englund studied dance with Mary Ann Wells, with whom Robert Joffrey also trained. He received a scholarship and attended Harvard University, before transferring to the Juilliard School as a dance major in 1951. Englund danced with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet from 1953-1955 and the National Ballet of Canada from 1955-1957. His major interest, however, was in choreographing and directing, rather than performing. In 1957, after appearing as guest artist with the Birmingham Civic Ballet, he accepted an invitation to direct the company, remaining through 1959. He then returned to New York where he danced in the original productions of the Broadway musicals, Greenwillow (1960) and Camelot (1960). At the end of 1959, Englund married Gage Bush, whom he had met in Birmingham, and they both joined American Ballet Theatre.

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