Basil Thompson

THOMPSON, CARROLL

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 7/3/2009 at 15:31:06

Basil Thompson, 67, who was a soloist with American Ballet Theatre, artistic director of the Milwaukee Ballet and ballet master of the Joffrey Ballet during a long and distinguished dance career, died Tuesday, Nov. 2 in Lynchburg, Virginia of sudden cardiac arrest. Thompson was on sabbatical from the faculty of the University of Iowa Dance Department.

Thompson’s early life was closely paralled by the store in the film Billy Elliott. The first North England dancer to win the prestigious Leverhulme Scholarship, he was trained by the Sadlers Wells Ballet School and he began his performance career with the newly formed Convent Garden Opera Ballet. In 1955 he was transferred to the Sadlers Wells Ballet Co. (now the Royal Ballet) and with it he twice toured the United States.

He taught ballet in Los Angeles before joining the American Ballet Theatre in 1960, performing extensively throughout the United States, Europe, the Soviet Union, and Central and South America, and attaining the positions of soloist and rehearsal assistant.

In 1967 he joined the Joffrey Ballet as ballet master, working closely with Robert Joffrey during a time when the company was at a creative peak. His time with the Joffrey included the company’s first visits to Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City, in what would become a long and fruitful partnership. Recognized internationally as one of the leading teachers of character dance, Thompson recently reconstructed “Petrouchka” for the Joffrey’s Nureyev Tribute, presented in Chicago this October.

In 1981 Thompson was invited to join the Milwaukee Ballet as ballet master and for the next 19 years played a significant part in the artistic development of the company. He was appointed artistic director in 1995.

Thompson joined the faculty of the Dance Department at the University of Iowa in the spring of 2000.

Survivors include his wife Kitty Carroll of Iowa City; a daughter Audrey of Iowa City; sons Edward of London, England and Colin of Iowa City; and brothers William and Louis of Newcastle, England.