Ross Stretton - Dancing Career 1973-1990

Dancing Career 1973-1990

Stretton joined the Australian Ballet in 1973 and became a soloist the following year. After winning a Robert Helpmann Scholarship in 1975, he undertook a study trip to the US. During his time at the Australian Ballet, he danced all the classical roles in the company's schedule. In the 1977 production of Swan Lake, he developed a strong partnership with Michaela Kirkaldie although he had to be taken to hospital after miscalculating the spectacular leap into the lake in a performance at the Canberra Theatre and missing the mattress behind the scenes meant to break his fall. In 1978, he became a principal dancer with the Australian ballet.

In 1979, he decided to leave Australia for the US to establish an international reputation. Stretton initially joined the Joffrey Theatre before a brief stint at the Northern Ballet Theatre in Manchester. He debuted with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in 1980-81. In the following season, he became a soloist with the ABT and a principal the following season. He also worked with Mikhail Baryshnikov in Baryshnikov and Co as part of a select group of ABT dancers.

During his dancing career, Stretton developed a reputation as a great classical dancer although the New York Times stated in a news report on his death that "acting was not his forte". He retired as a dancer in 1990.