William Moore’s Favorite PBT Moments
PBT Soloist William Moore will be retiring from the company on May 18 during Cinderella. Moore danced with PBT for more than 11 years, as well as choreographed for them. Moore will remain in his PBT Choreographer-in-Residence role through 2024 and will create an updated version of Rite of Spring for PBT’s Spring Mix: 5 for 55 performance in April 2025. Below, he remembers some of his career highlights and favorite roles throughout the years.
Ballet: Diamonds by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Roles: Principal
Year: 2021
“Walking across the Benedum stage at the beginning of the principal pas de deux was so calming. The pas de deux is very indulgent, and it was a moment when I truly felt present on stage.”
Ballet: Petite Mort by Jiří Kylián
Year: 2015
“This was always a dream ballet for me to perform. Kylián’s movement has such a seamless, beautiful quality. Paired with Mozart’s music, it is a true masterpiece and an experience I will always remember.”
Ballet: Sinfonietta by Jiří Kylián
Year: 2015
“Another one of Kylián’s works. I love how much energy Sinfonietta has, with fast-traveling movement that transitions seamlessly from step to step. It’s a joy to perform!”
Ballet: In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated by William Forsythe
Year: 2015
“William Forsythe’s staple work, In the Middle, was another dream piece to perform. It was a real challenge to dance so sharply and with such expansiveness.”
Ballet: Fancy Free by Jerome Robbins
Year: 2018
“I loved this ballet. It’s so cheeky and fun to dance. I really felt like the audience was engaged and enjoying it as much as we were.”
Ballet: Swan Lake by Susan Jaffe (2022)
Role: Prince Siegfried
Year: 2022
“I think this makes the list because it was such a challenge. Siegfried’s involvement physically and emotionally throughout the whole ballet was draining, but very rewarding.”
Ballet: Westside Story Suite by Jerome Robbins
Role: Riff
Year: 2018
“Singing and talking onstage was so unfamiliar but I really got into the role. It’s such an iconic piece and I’m really proud to have been a part of it. It’s always fun to die onstage too!”
Ballet: Lascia la Spina by Sasha Janes
Year: 2021
“Lascia is a pas de deux my wife and I performed during the pandemic. It was very challenging partnering-wise but equally beautiful. We really relished dancing it together!”
Ballet: Giselle By Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot
Role: Hilarion
Year: 2019
“Hilarion is a great role because he is a complicated character who is neither good nor bad. He’s just mostly misunderstood, which is what makes him so fun to portray!”
Ballet: Le Corsaire by Marius Petipa
Role: Birbanto
Year: 2016
“I’ve been lucky in my career to play lots of great villains (in my opinion the much better role), and none more so than Birbanto. A great solo with lots of drama and deceit, ending in yet another stage death.”
Photos courtesy of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre