Septime Webre to become Artistic Director for S&R Foundation

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- S&R Foundation is thrilled to welcome one of the most brilliant artistic minds in the nation's capital, announcing today that Septime Webre is joining the organization as Artistic Director.  Starting this Fall, Septime will curate S&R's new performance series, Halcyon Stage, a platform for creativity that will showcase music, dance, and interdisciplinary work.  "It's thrilling to join the S&R team, who is deeply committed to supporting emerging creatives," said Webre.  "Our new programs will establish deep connections with our local and global community, as we seek to engage and inspire by illuminating and celebrating creativity in our modern world."  

Headquartered in Washington, DC, S&R Foundation is a non-profit that supports talented individuals with high aspirations in the arts, sciences and social entrepreneurship.  Among its major programs are Halcyon Incubator, Studios Program at the Fillmore School, the Overtures Concert Series and Illuminate speaking series.

"Septime is an exhilarating addition to the S&R team," said Dr. Sachiko Kuno, President and CEO of S&R Foundation. "We look forward to collaborating with him on imaginative programming to intensify our public offerings and support for talented creatives. As S&R celebrates a major growth cycle, Septime will strengthen our mission to support and advance talented artists of multiple genres."

Webre is set to leave his role as Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet after 17 years, during which time TWB increased its profile and impact regionally, nationally and internationally. He led growth and expansion in both excellence and bold creativity, with projects including a "trippy" ALICE (In Wonderland); the "American Experience," featuring original full-length ballets based on iconic works of American literature, and the pursuit of full-length original classic works including Swan Lake, a significant milestone that secured TWB's position as a major international player in the dance world. Under his direction, The Washington School of Ballet's enrollment has tripled and the organization's commitment to community through its visionary DanceDC and TWB@THEARC programs has positively affected the lives of tens of thousands of children in the District of Columbia.

Much in demand as a choreographer, Webre has created works that appear in the repertoires of many companies in North America, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Ballet Austin, Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet San Jose, Kansas City Ballet and Colorado Ballet, among many others. Webre has sat on the boards of Dance/USA and the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington. Among his many awards, Webre received the DC Mayor's Arts Award for Visionary Leadership, Excellence in Artistic Discipline and numerous metro DC dance awards. He has been a recipient of a number of fellowships for his choreography.

About S&R Foundation
S&R Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created in 2000 to support talented individuals with great potential and high aspirations in the arts, sciences and social entrepreneurship, especially those who are furthering international cultural collaboration. Contributions to S&R Foundation go directly to funding our mission. Overhead and general operational costs are covered by founders' contributions and use of existing assets. For more information, visit www.SandRFoundation.org.

SOURCE S&R Foundation