About Us > Biographies
JOSEPH CIPOLLA
Artistic Director and Founder
New York born, raised and trained, Joseph Cipolla’s technique was described as” crisp and stylishly deft” by The New York Times, and his stage presence as “charismatic and sexy” by The Birmingham Post. The Village Voice admired his “nuances of love and friendship,” profound qualities that set him apart, made him a star, and a desired acquisition for the royal flagship of British ballet, a company New York Magazine dubbed “the heart of Ashton’s legacy.”
In 1979, Cipolla began as a groundbreaking principal dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem. In 1986, Sir Peter Wright brought him to England’s legendary Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet (now the Birmingham Royal Ballet), where he joined one of the finest repertoires and companies in the world. A favorite with audiences and choreographers for his artistry, technique, insight and ability to portray any role, Cipolla became the touchstone by which others are compared when recreating his original roles.
In 1993, in recognition of his achievements in dance, he was nominated for an Olivier Award, the most prestigious award in British theatre, equivalent to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Oscar and the American Theatre Wing’s Tony awards. Cipolla performed at the Olivier Awards with Catherine Batcheller in 1994 and with Marion Tate OBE in 1995. He presented the award to William Forsythe in 1996.
Cipolla has performed in BBC-televised Royal Ballet productions; in Margot Fonteyn’s The Magic of Dance, Hobson’s Choice, The Nutcracker, and Nutcracker Sweeties; and in a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
He retired to his home in New York in 2002, but returns to England for administrative and dancing roles. Ballet Dance Magazine reviewed one of his 2007 performances as “the welcome return of longtime favorite, Joseph Cipolla, as De Guiche in David Bintley’s Cyrano,” noting, “ even under costume and heavy make-up, there was no mistaking his commanding presence.”
Cipolla has been honored by his alma mater, St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, with induction into the Fine Arts Wall of Honor, in recognition of his achievements and contribution to the arts.
MICHAEL SHANNON
Resident Choreographer
Michael Shannon is the first American to have become a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet since its founding in 1776. He has performed in 30 countries. Thirty-five of his ballets and plays premiered in Europe and the United States. Since 2005, he has created 10 works for Configuration Dance Theatre.
Shannon and Joseph Cipolla began working together as principal dancers with Birmingham Royal Ballet in England, under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth II, The Prince of Wales, and Lady Sarah Chatto. Shannon and American Ballet Theatre star Susan Jaffe were brought together as partners by Elena Tchernichova, then Artistic Director of the Vienna State Opera Ballet, who wanted them in her World Stars of Ballet Gala.
Today, Cipolla, Jaffe and Shannon share their unparalleled expertise with Configuration Dance Theatre.
Despite Cold War times, Shannon was the first American graduate of the Moscow Choreographic Institute, with his artistry supported by Yuri Grigorovich, Madame Sophia Golovkina, and the Russian Ministries of Education and Culture. At the time, he was one of very few Americans living full time in the Soviet Union.
In 1990, Town Hall of California honored Shannon with a personal message from President George H. W. Bush, which said:” As the first American to become a permanent member of the esteemed Bolshoi Ballet, Michael has brought great honor to himself and his country Realizing his dreams through persistence and hard work, he is a wonderful role model, and has served as an able representative of the United States abroad. We are very proud of this native son of California.”
In 1994, Shannon was commissioned to choreograph and stage, Monday After the Miracle, awarded Best Play of 1995 in Moscow. In 2008, The New York Times described his ballets, What's the Pointe, Yumeji, and Tchaicotic, as "atmospheric reverie, sexy, ballet to blush by, stabbing footwork, canons of movement, striking patterns.” The Buffalo News said that they are “captivating, intimate, sensual, slick; reminds one of Jiri Kylian, Mats Ek and Dwight Rhoden.” The Cape Cod Chronicle wrote that his Awakenings was “nothing short of astonishing in its understanding and physical communication of emotion ranging from comical to abrupt to tender. Of his Transfigurations, The Buffalo News wrote, “ an unequivocal standout, deeply emotional and affecting piece.”
SUSAN JAFFE
Principal Guest Choreographer, National Advisory Board
Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Susan Jaffe's journey to ballet stardom began at the age of 8, and took her from the Maryland School of Ballet to the School of American Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) School to ABT II at age 16, and ABT's corps de ballet at age 18.
Then ABT Artistic Director Mikhail Baryshnikov recognized Jaffe's outstanding gifts and talent, partnering her with the late, great Alexander Gudonov. At the Bolshoi Ballet, Gudonov’s former partner was the legendary Maya Pliesetskaya. Only a great talent, a new ballerina, a great beauty with dramatic strength and masterful technical ability could match Gudonov, the handsome Bolshoi Ballet star.
Since her momentous first days as ABT's new ballerina, journalists have documented every aspect of her legendary 22-year reign, but none better than The New York Times: “She had it all, our long stemmed American rose. America's quintessential ballerina raised the standard of dancing. She matched dazzle with eloquent form. She never hesitated to extend her range and remold herself. Few ballerinas have excelled in as wide a repertory.”
She wanted more, but did not wish to move to Europe. Instead, she became a guest artist for the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, and Vienna State Opera Ballet.
Today, Jaffe continues to extend her range in new roles as author, television host, actress, educator, speaker, business owner, consultant and choreographer. She was Advisor to the Chairman of ABT's Board of Governing Trustees, 2002-2007, and is on the faculty of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, which she joined in 2002.
Jaffe lectures for Duke Corporate Education on “Excellence.” In 2003, she became founding partner and director of the Princeton Dance & Theater Studio, and Dance Vision Youth Ensemble in Princeton, where her role is Artistic Director and Choreographer.
An illustrious Dance Magazine Awardee, Jaffe was invited to join Dance Magazine to co-produce and host the weekly television show, Dance New York. She has been featured multiple times on Dance in America, in the movie, Angie, starring Geena Davis; and in Frederick Wiseman’s documentary, Ballet.