Shane Urton

Originally from North Carolina, USA, Shane began his dance training at the age of 15 at Bonita's School of Ballet. A year later Shane was accepted to the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (High school) where he attended until graduating in 2009. Though focusing on classical Ballet, Shane also trained in contemporary dance techniques. Teachers such as Ethan Stiefel, Christine Spizzo, Nigel Burly, Brenda Daniels, Diane Markham among others were crucial in his dance education.

 

Shane joined the Joffrey Ballet Chicago in 2009 through the opening of their trainee program just after graduating. Though a trainee that first year, Shane danced in the full 2009-10 Joffrey season which helped him get contracted as a member of the company in 2010. 2010-2014 Shane danced many roles in works by G. Balanchine, Jerome Robins, Jiri Kylian, Alexander Ekman, and Lar Lubovitch.

 

Shane then left to join the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2014 where he danced featured roles in works by W. Forsythe, J. Kylian, A. Ekman, Liam Scarlett, Niel Ieremia, Larry Keigwin, and Andonis Foniadakis.  

Shane joined the Norwegian National Ballet in 2016. He quickly received opportunities to dance roles in works again by J. Kylian, A. Ekman, Liam Scarlett, Ohad Naharin, Alan Øyen, Jo Strømgren, Ina Christel Johannesson, and Garrett Smith. 

Shane is now currently a demi-soloist in Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Belgium. He has been fortunate to broaden his repertoire again in works by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoiu, Crystal Pite, and Daniel Proeitto.

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photos: Nicha Rodboon

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