Sewell Ballet seeks new director less than a year after filling the job

Tony Caparelli parted "amicably" after just nine months with the Minneapolis dance troupe.

Last update: October 13, 2008 - 7:23 PM

After joining James Sewell Ballet as executive director just nine months ago, Tony Caparelli has left the Minneapolis-based dance company. His last day was Oct. 3.

Dennis Breining, president of the ballet's board of directors, said Monday that while "we regretted seeing him go," the parting was amicable. Caparelli "had concerns about whether this was a good fit for him," Breining said.

Caparelli, who was hired after a national search, arrived in February from California, where he had been executive director of the Oakland Ballet. He had been there for five years and had spent 15 years before that in several jobs with the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. He was brought in following the departure of Gary Peterson after 13 years as executive director.

The company already is looking for a new executive director, Breining said, and may revisit candidates short-listed during the recent search. In the meantime, longtime operations manager Mary Jo Peloquin is acting director.

James Sewell Ballet will perform its fall program of new and repertory work at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul Oct. 23 to 26.

CLAUDE PECK

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