July 24, 2025
Joint Interim Leadership at Hamburg Ballett
Supervisory Board of the Hamburg Opera House Establishes New Leadership for Hamburg Ballet for the Upcoming Season
At its meeting yesterday, the Supervisory Board of the Hamburg Opera House decided on the interim leadership of the Hamburg Ballet for the 2025 – 26 season and appointed Nicolas Hartmann as Interim Executive Managing Director, making him the third CEO of the Hamburg Opera House. He will take on responsibility for the Hamburg Ballet as part of a leadership team alongside the current Deputy Artistic Director Lloyd Riggins and the current Deputy Director of the School of the Hamburg Ballet, Gigi Hyatt. The leadership of the company will be assumed by Lloyd Riggins as Artistic Director together with Nicolas Hartmann. The leadership of the ballet school will be assumed by Gigi Hyatt as Interim Ballet School Director, also in collaboration with Nicolas Hartmann. The basis for this joint leadership is the artistic planning for new productions - which will be further developed with a view to the 2026 - 27 season - and the continued care of the John Neumeier repertoire.
The leadership team has agreed that outstanding choreographers will be commissioned for new productions, who—together with the creative potential of the company—will contribute to the continued excellence of the Hamburg Ballett. As already decided by the Supervisory Board in June, an externally moderated process will begin after the summer break, during which guiding principles for future collaboration within the company and expectations for a future artistic director of the Hamburg Ballet will be developed. The results of this process will form the foundation for the subsequent search for a new Artistic Director. Additionally, the leadership team will seek external advice, particularly regarding structural reorganization and the expansion of the choreographic repertoire.
Dr. Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media: The Hamburg Ballet is a company with international prestige. The joint interim leadership brings the experience and knowledge needed to guide the Hamburg Ballet professionally through this crucial transition phase and to lay the groundwork for a successful new beginning. In this challenging period for all involved, I would like to sincerely thank everyone for their great dedication, which contributed significantly to the success of the 50th Hamburg Ballet Days. The 2025 Ballet Days highlighted the company's exceptional professionalism and the strong enthusiasm of the people of Hamburg for the diversity of ballet.
Nicolas Hartmann: Hamburg Ballet stands for artistic excellence, international appeal, and a deep emotional connection with its audience. I welcome the opportunity to take on responsibility for this institution with respect for its history and a clear vision for the future. Together with Lloyd Riggins, we want to create the conditions that will allow the company to continue developing artistically and structurally. I look forward to this challenge with great optimism and to shaping the present and preparing Hamburg Ballett for the future together with the ensemble.
Lloyd Riggins: It is a great honor for me to have been part of the Hamburg Ballet for more than 30 years. Leading this outstanding company in such a challenging time is both a great responsibility and an incredible opportunity. At this point in my career, I feel completely ready for this task. I will contribute all of my experience, energy, and knowledge to lead the company and this house with passion and humanity into a bright future—a future that builds on the strong legacy of Hamburg Ballet but looks ahead and outward, toward new works and collaborations that will enrich the unique dance experience Hamburg is known for. I'm very much looking forward to opening the next chapter of the Hamburg Ballet together with the company, the house, and the city of Hamburg.
Gigi Hyatt: It is an honor and a privilege to work daily with our inspiring students at the ballet school. Together with our dedicated educators and staff, I look forward to continuing to develop the vision that makes our school so unique. Hamburg Ballet has always held a special place in the ballet world. Together, we will continue to passionately invest in carrying this legacy into the future.
BIOGRAPHIES
Nicolas Hartmann was born in Bremen and served from 2007 to 2021 as Assistant to the Managing Director at Hamburg Ballett, before being appointed Managing Director in 2021. He studied Applied Cultural Studies at the University of Lüneburg and managed the festival office of the Summer Music Days in Hitzacker until 2007.
Lloyd Riggins was born in New York, USA. He joined Hamburg Ballet as a Principal Dancer in 1995 and became Ballet Master in 2006. Since 2015, he has served as Deputy Artistic Director of the Hamburg Ballet company.
Gigi Hyatt joined Hamburg Ballet in 1982 and was appointed Principal Dancer by John Neumeier in 1986. She ended her stage career in 1997 and moved to the USA. In 2013, Hyatt returned to Hamburg to take on the role of Deputy Director of the Hamburg Ballet School.
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