Ben Stevenson Trust

04/24/2026

Li Cunxin, former Houston Ballet dancer and retired Queensland Ballet Artistic Director, shares his tribute to Ben: “Ben made such a difference to so many people’s lives and the ballet world. I’d never be the person and dancer I became without him.”

04/15/2026

Friends, family, and colleagues all over the world have shared moving tributes to Ben throughout the past few weeks. Lauren Anderson, former Principal Dancer at Houston Ballet, shared this about her longtime friend:

“Ben Stevenson was more than a legend in ballet, he was my mentor, my guide, and someone who truly saw me long before the world did.”

Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your kind words.

04/04/2026

The memorial service for Ben Stevenson, OBE will begin at 3 pm CST today, April 4. Click the link below to visit Ben's obituary page. The livestream link will publish to this page shortly before 3 pm and will be displayed above the "Service Schedule" section.

https://www.robertsonmuellerharper.com/obituaries/benjamin-stephenson

04/03/2026

Please join us virtually to celebrate the life of Ben Stevenson, OBE. His memorial service will be held privately, but we invite you to join the livestream at 3 pm CST Saturday, April 4.

We will share the livestream link shortly before the service begins on Saturday. We hope you will join us to pay tribute to Ben's life and legacy.

03/31/2026

03/29/2026

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the news of the passing of our extraordinary friend, Ben Stevenson, OBE. Ben passed away on March 29, 2026.

For all of us who were fortunate enough to know Ben, he was so much more than a celebrated artistic director or a decorated choreographer. He was a truly unique and cherished individual whose presence enriched our lives in countless ways. We will forever remember his "devilish grin and twinkle in his eye," his world-class wit, and that affable sense of humor that could light up any room. He was a natural raconteur, and many of us will fondly recall the feasts he created in his kitchen, where, from the head of the table, he would share captivating tales of his life, nourishing both body and soul.

Ben was an introverted extrovert, a man of immense generosity whose loyalty to his friends, colleagues, and dancers knew no bounds. He carried the memories of those he loved deeply, keeping them alive in his heart and work. His irrepressible spirit and innate resiliency were truly inspiring.

While his public achievements were monumental – from his pioneering work in China to leading Houston Ballet and Texas Ballet Theater to international acclaim, and receiving honors like the OBE. – his most treasured collection was always his friends and the relationships he built. He was a humble visionary, a true genius, and his spirit will continue to inspire us all.

This loss is deeply personal for everyone who had the privilege of being in his orbit. We know you share in our profound sadness, and we encourage you to hold onto the countless wonderful memories you have of him.

We will share details regarding opportunities to celebrate Ben's extraordinary life and profound impact in the coming days.

02/27/2026

Ben on Texas Ballet Theater's upcoming mixed repertory, Diversions:

"As Artistic Director Emeritus, I've had the privilege of being part of Texas Ballet Theater for over 20 years. This next repertory program, Diversions, is one of the most exciting the company has ever presented.

"It features two works by Artistic Director Tim O'Keefe, including a world premiere, alongside masterpieces by contemporary icons Martha Graham and Paul Taylor. The pieces Tim has chosen are among the company's finest, and TBT is looking extraordinary. I hope to see everyone there!"

For tickets and performance details, visit https://texasballettheater.org/

02/10/2026

One of Ben's most recognizable ballets, Three Preludes is a romantic pas de deux set to the sounds of Sergei Rachmaninoff and centered around a ballet barre - and it was the first original ballet Ben choreographed after moving to the US. He calls it "the most important piece [he's] ever done" because its success led to so many other opportunities that amplified his choreographic career. Where have you seen it on stage?

Pictured: San Francisco Ballet dancers Jasmine Jimison and Harrison James in Three Preludes. Photo by Reneff-Olson Productions. Courtesy of San Francisco Ballet.

02/03/2026

A Midsummer Night's Dream is Ben's most recent full-length story ballet. Filled with mischief, whimsy, and Ben's signature humor, this ballet premiered in 2022. The magic continues this spring at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, where the ballet will run May 15-17.

A Dreamy Forest Romance! Step into the enchanting world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, an ethereal ballet that celebrates the transformative power of love. Based on William Shakespeare’s iconic comedy, …

01/27/2026

Former Houston Ballet dancer Dawn Scannell is now a stager for the Ben Stevenson Trust, helping Ben's ballets come to life at companies all over. As a stager, Dawn is dedicated to representing Ben's vision - which includes his distinct storytelling. "You have to 'be somebody' when you're onstage," Dawn says of dancing any role in one of Ben's ballets. "Your thoughts have to be clear about who you are... not just good steps." Want to read more of Dawn's interview? It will be in our next quarterly e-newsletter!

Houston Ballet Principal Soo Youn Cho as the Lilac Fairy in Ben Stevenson’s The Sleeping Beauty. Photo by Lawrence Elizabeth Knox (2020). Courtesy of Houston Ballet.

01/06/2026

With its recognizable score, iconic choreography, and feathery white tutus, Swan Lake is synonymous with classical ballet - and Ben's production is getting a complete refurbishment. Our friends at Texas Ballet Theater are currently revitalizing their Swan Lake sets and costumes and are excited to debut them this May. Want to keep up with the progress and other ballet updates? Sign up for our quarterly newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/d349ed6098a4/newsletter-signup

Pictured: new backdrop in progress at Michael Hagen, Inc.

12/31/2025

As an artistic director, Ben has led hundreds of dancers throughout his career - and many have gone on to leadership positions in the world of dance themselves. One is Carl Coomer, who retired from his Principal Dancer role at Texas Ballet Theater at the end of the company's 2024-2025 season. Carl recently moved to the front of the studio as Principal of TBT's Studio Training Company. In this role, he helps train and transition pre-professional students for professional dance careers. Carl says Ben's direction shaped who he is today and impacts his second career. "I will always teach with humor and emphasize the importance of expression in dance because of him."

Pictured: Carl Coomer and Ben Stevenson during Cleopatra. Photo by Amitava Sarkar, courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater.