Christopher Ruud

Born: San Francisco, California

Joined Ballet West: 1998
Promoted to Soloist: 2001
Promoted to Principal: 2004

Training: San Francisco Ballet School, University of Utah Department of Ballet

Current Repertoire: “Oberon” in Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Dream; “Siegfried” in Adam Sklute’s 2010 newly conceived and produced Swan Lake; Fourth Campaign in Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes, a lead role in Balanchine’s Serenade, and “Melancholic” in his The Four Temperaments; the world premiere productions of Charlotte Boye-Christensen’s Row and Helen Pickett’s But Never Doubt I Love; John Butler’s Carmina Burana; “Prince Desire” and “Prince of the South” in Sklute’s 2011 newly conceived and produced The Sleeping Beauty; Jiri Kylian's Sinfonietta; Nicolo Fonte's Bolero; and the 2011 world premiere of Avichai Scher's White Noise. 

Additional Performance Highlights: “Earth Father” in Glen Tetley’s The Rite of Spring; “Jester,” “Step-Sister” and “Prince Charming” in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella; “Petruchio” in John Cranko's The Taming of the Shrew; Val Caniparoli’s Book of Alleged Dances, Hamlet and Ophelia Pas de Deux, and Lambarena; Hans van Manen’s Polish Pieces, Black Cake, and Solo; William Forsythe’s Artifact II and In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated; “Romeo” in Romeo and Juliet; and Ulysses Dove’s Red Angels.

Ruud’s Balanchine credits include “Liza” in Who Cares?, “Puck” in A Midsummer Night's Dream, the First Aria in Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Serenade, The Four Temperaments, Stars and Stripes, Concerto Barocco, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, and Theme and Variations.

In 2008, Ruud's ballet, titled One, had its world premiere performance during Ballet West’s inaugural Innovations program, and in 2011, his second choreographed work, Trapped, made its debut to critical acclaim during Ballet West's fourth-annual Innovations program. Ruud is the son of the late, respected dancer and choreographer, Tomm Ruud. He stages and performs his father’s ballets – including MOBILE – all over the world.