“Margo’s background as a principal dancer and her experience in all aspects of production, company management, marketing, accounting and development make her the best choice for Managing Director for Texas Ballet Theater,” states Suzanne Charriere. “She has exceeded the Board’s expectations as interim Managing Director over the past 6 months, and we are proud to affirm her appointment as one of the key directors to lead the ballet into a new and exciting chapter of our history.”
Over the past 6 months in the interim role, Ms. McCann has worked closely with the Board of Directors and staff to successfully execute a number of new initiatives. These new initiatives have increased fundraising, increased ticket sales, improved communication and restored financial responsibility to the organization. Ms. McCann has also successfully assumed a leadership role in the organization and has quickly established a strong rapport with the Bass Performance Hall, the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts, and with other local arts organizations, charitable foundations, community leaders and major donors.
“The past 6 months have been both very challenging and very rewarding during my interim tenure as Managing Director,” states McCann. “I am thrilled that the Board has placed their trust in my ability to lead this organization, and I am looking forward to continuing my close working relationship with Ben Stevenson, the Board, the staff and our company of dancers. Working together, we will insure that Texas Ballet Theater has a very bright future.”
As Managing Director, Ms. McCann oversees all aspects of the day-to-day operations for Texas Ballet Theater. She brings a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to the position, having performed as a principal dancer for the company for 19 years, followed by a successful transition into management.
Ms. McCann’s affiliation with Texas Ballet Theater now spans 22 years. Prior to being appointed to the position of Managing Director, she served as Company Manager and Education Outreach Coordinator. Ms. McCann succeeds John Toohey, who left Texas Ballet Theater in December 2008 and is now President of ARTS San Antonio.
A native Texan, Ms. McCann studied under full scholarship at the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York City. She returned to Texas to join Texas Ballet Theater in 1986. As a member of the company, she toured to Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., Japan, and Taiwan. Among her favorite performances were principal roles in Rubies, Apollo, Allegro Brillante, Stravinsky Violin Concerto and Romeo and Juliet. Ms. McCann also enjoyed dancing title roles in Ben Stevenson’s Four Last Songs, Cinderella and Peer Gynt.
After 19 years as a principal dancer, Ms. McCann retired from Texas Ballet Theater at the end of the 2004 – 2005 Season. Although she no longer dances professionally, she now enjoys teaching dance to students at Country Day School, and is in her 20th year of teaching. In 2005, she was selected to be a facilitator for the Van Cliburn Musical Awakenings program and has found great pleasure in working with the gifted artists and children.
