RWB names former Muscovite to top position

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This article was published 19/10/2023 (750 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has appointed a new executive director.

Elena Tupyseva, an experienced dance and arts administrator from Moscow, was selected to fill the role following an extensive recruitment process and a unanimous vote by the ballet’s board of directors.

On Wednesday, Tupyseva was busy finding her way around her new home and workplace.

“It’s my second day here,” the 47-year-old says with a laugh. “But I looked at the map hundreds of times exploring, and you know Winnipeg reminds me, just in terms of design, (of Moscow) when you zoom out — it’s also a round city; there are a lot of similarities.”

Tupyseva’s appointment is the first phase of a significant administration shift at the ballet. The RWB has operated under a single-leadership model since 2017, with longtime artistic director André Lewis also acting as the company’s chief executive director for the last six years. Lewis — who will be retiring in the spring of 2025 after 50 years with the RWB — suggested splitting the position ahead of his departure.

Both parties are glad for the transitional overlap.

“It’s very positive. I’m going to try to support all of the things that used to fall under my reel, if you will, and help her move (the ballet) forward,” Lewis says, adding that he’s looking forward to focusing on the artistic side of the program during his final two seasons.

“I’m very grateful that I’m able to return to that focus and have Elena take care of the other administrative areas — the new strategic plan and the implementation of that plan. She comes with a set of really wonderful skills having managed and directed a significant company in Moscow.”

Tupyseva holds masters degrees in law and performing arts management. She has a background in contemporary dance and ballet and was the artistic director and CEO of Theatre Ballet Moscow from 2012 to 2022. She resigned from the position and moved to Canada due to the changing political and social climate in her birth country.

“It was not an easy decision, of course, but it was cooking for some time to move out of Russia and the war was a big catalyzer,” she says. “I have a daughter and I felt that maybe it won’t be a good idea for her to (grow up) in this kind of strange environment.”

For the last year, Tupyseva has been working in Toronto as producer of the Dance Umbrella of Ontario, an independent business-management company for artists and arts organizations.

When she left Russia, she was uncertain if she would be able to find work as a senior manager in Canada’s comparatively smaller professional dance market.

“I’m very happy that I was selected because I can improve my career, but also support the local artists, artistic scene and be part of this community,” she says, adding that she’s doubly happy about the mentorship that comes with the role.

“When I joined Theatre Moscow, there was no overlap, because the director was fired and it was a very difficult time for me to come into the organization … So, I think with André here, it’s very important for me to spend a lot of time with him to understand the DNA of the company.”

Tupyseva joins the RWB at a challenging time. The company is recovering from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and recently posted an operating deficit of more than $500,000 following the 2022-23 season.

Tupyseva will be in charge of overseeing all aspects of the ballet’s fundraising, marketing, finance and administration activities. Before making any organizational changes, she plans to analyze the company’s standing internally and within Winnipeg’s wider cultural sector.

Tupyseva sees the RWB’s professional and recreational divisions as major assets.

“I think it’s important for any organization to do educational projects and outreach and to always have new blood in the audience,” she says. “Also, I think my asset is that I’m very fresh to Canada, to Winnipeg, to everything. And sometimes, you know, when you have an outsider, sometimes it helps to identify the challenges or to identify the possible ways of solving the problem.”

The RWB’s search for a new artistic director will begin shortly.

eva.wasney@winnipegfreepress.com

X: @evawasney