Performer · Choreographer
Benjamin Millepied
Dancer
Why They Matter
Millepied's work bridges classical ballet technique, contemporary choreographic innovation, and dance made for cinema. His dual mastery of stage and screen has shown that ballet can reach audiences beyond the theater, while his choreographic commissions across major companies and his…
Biography
Benjamin Millepied is a French dancer, choreographer, filmmaker and company founder born in Bordeaux in 1977. He trained in Lyon and at the School of American Ballet before joining New York City Ballet in 1995, where he was promoted to principal dancer in 2002. His early choreographic work *Passages*, created in 2001, launched a prolific career across major institutions. For New York City Ballet he created *Double Aria* and *Plainspoken*; he has also choreographed for American Ballet Theatre, Dutch National Ballet, Paris Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera. In 2010, Millepied served as choreographer and adviser for Darren Aronofsky's film *Black Swan*, bringing dance to a wide screen audience. His work in dance film includes directing *Chaconne* and five short dance films set to music by Philip Glass. After leaving New York City Ballet, he founded L.A. Dance Project in 2011, establishing himself as a leader in building new platforms for contemporary ballet.
Legacy & Impact
Millepied's work bridges classical ballet technique, contemporary choreographic innovation, and dance made for cinema. His dual mastery of stage and screen has shown that ballet can reach audiences beyond the theater, while his choreographic commissions across major companies and his company-founding work have shaped how ballet institutions think about new creation. He remains influential for choreographers working across both traditional and film-based media.
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