The Smuin Ballet will celebrate its 20th anniversary with performances in Missoula and Great Falls this month.
The San Francisco-based ballet was founded by Missoula native Michael Smuin, who danced with the American Ballet Theatre before becoming an Emmy and Tony-award winning choreographer. Smuin died suddenly in 2007, and the company is now run by his longtime collaborator and muse, Celia Fushille. In this feature interview, Fushille talks with News Director Sally Mauk about her transition from dancer to artistic director, and about Michael Smuin's influence on modern ballet.