Reid Anderson was a dancer with the Stuttgart Ballet from 1969 until 1986 and Principal Dancer as of 1978. He was Director of the Ballet British Columbia from 1987 until 1989 and Director of the National Ballet of Canada from 1989 until 1996. In his first season in Stuttgart, Reid Anderson brought 21 talented new dancers to the company, prompting critics to coin the term “The New Stuttgart Ballet“. Anderson has continued the company’s success with highly diverse programming which provides creative opportunities for younger choreographers whilst cultivating the Cranko heritage and presenting the masterpieces of the classical and neo-classical repertory. Over the last 22 years Anderson has commissioned over 100 world premieres (including 12 full length ballets) from choreographers such as Mauro Bigonzetti, Wayne McGregor, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, David Bintley, Kevin O’Day, Itzik Galili, Jorma Elo, Cayetano Soto, Douglas Lee and Edward Clug among others. In addition he fostered and nurtured the choreographic talents of Christian Spuck (resident choreographer from 2001 to 2012, currently Director of the Zurich Ballet), Marco Goecke (resident choreographer from 2005 to 2018) and Demis Volpi (resident choreographer from 2013 to 2017. Over the last 22 years average attendance for performances in Stuttgart has been at 95%. Anderson steps down as Artistic Director in July 2018. He will be succeeded by Tamas Detrich.