McAllister to join WA Ballet after Scannella exit

Former Australian Ballet artistic director David McAllister will return to Perth to lead West Australian Ballet Company after Aurelien Scannella announced his resignation.

Mr Scannella will step down as West Australian Ballet Company artistic director, a role he held for 10 years, after overseeing the 2023 season.

WAB announced Mr McAllister would join the company as a guest artistic director for the 2024 season.

“I am very honoured to be given this opportunity to return to Perth and spend the year with West Australian Ballet. I look forward to working with the company that shaped my early years in ballet," Mr McAllister said.

Mr McAllister was born in Perth and trained in WA before joining Australian Ballet in 1983 and becoming principal dancer in 1989.

He served as the artistic director of the Australian Ballet Company for almost 20 years.

Mr Scanella joined the company in 2013 and oversaw West Australian Ballet take on new works, including productions for Dracula and Swan Lake.

“I am proud of what my team and I have accomplished with the company over the past ten years," Mr Scannella said.

"I am especially proud of my dancers, who have all performed unsparingly and generously with their hearts and souls.

"They shared my goal to bring the highest technical standard to the forefront that enabled the company to claim success.

"The time has come for me to leverage my wonderful experience here at WAB and to go forward looking for a bigger challenge in the ballet world."

Mr Scannella had filled as acting WAB executive director when Olivier David left the company, despite being in the role for a year, in mid-June last year.

In September, the state ballet company appointed its head of development Lauren Major to be executive director, co-leading the company with Mr Scannella.

“On behalf of the board, we thank Aurélien for his significant contribution to WAB over the past decade," WAB chair Ingrid Puzey said.

"His ambition and tenacity have made the company what it is today and created a legacy of artistic vibrancy for future seasons.

“The board and I are confident that under David's sage leadership and guidance, WAB will continue to captivate audiences with its artistic excellence and commitment to enrich people’s lives through dance."

Mr McAllister was appointed interim artistic director of Royal New Zealand Ballet last year, as the company searches to fill the role.

He received a Member of the Order of Australia, for his services to ballet, in 2004 and was promoted to Companion of the Order of Australia in 2021.