Joffrey Dancer Peter Kozak Returns to Columbia City Ballet for 2005-2006 Season
Columbia City Ballet announces the return of Peter Kozak to Columbia City Ballet for the 2005-2006 season. Kozak has spent the past four years dancing with The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. At Joffrey, he has performed many lead roles, from Head Wrangler in Agnes de Mille's "Rodeo" to Sugar Plum Cavalier in "Nutcracker." He also danced in the revivals of Gerald Arpino's "Italian Suite," "Reflections," and "Kettentanz." While with the Joffrey, Kozak also performed in Robert Altman's movie "The Company," with the rest of the Joffrey troupe.
Kozak danced with Columbia City Ballet as a soloist and principal from 1989 to 1996. During that time, he brought to life many roles in Executive and Artistic Director William Starrett's original ballets, including The Beast/Prince in "Beauty & the Beast" and the title role in "Aladdin." He was the first dancer to take over Starrett's role as Jonathan Harker in "Dracula: Ballet with a Bite."
Before joining The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Mr. Kozak was a principal dancer with Cleveland Ballet. "Peter has a tremendous following here in Columbia, and I can't wait for them to get to experience how he has grown as an artist," said Starrett. "The timing of his return perfectly coincides with where I see our repertoire and choreographic direction going in the next few years. His unusual talents and versatile abilities greatly complement my vision for the Company."
Kozak's return is not only a great opportunity for Columbia audiences, it is also a huge complement to the Company and our city. "It is certainly a testament to our growing stature as a company that our established dancers can go away and dance with major international companies and, after spreading their wings, want to come back home to Columbia City Ballet," said Starrett.
For more information about Columbia City Ballet or to become a member, please call 800.899.7408 or visit www.columbiacityballet.com.