Forsythe, William (1949-…), is an American-born dancer and choreographer. His striking poses and experimentation have revolutionized contemporary ballet in Europe. His major works include the three-act opus Going (1983), Artifact and Steptext (both 1984), In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated (1988), Limb’s Theorem (1990), and workwithinwork (1998). Forsythe’s works have been performed by such companies as the American Ballet Theatre, the New York City Ballet, the Paris Opera Ballet, and the Royal Ballet in London.
Forsythe was born on Dec. 30, 1949, in New York City. He trained with the Joffrey Ballet School, also in New York. He danced with the company until he moved to Germany in 1973 and joined the Stuttgart Ballet, where he remained for six years. In 1984, he was appointed director of the Frankfurt Ballet, where his radical productions acquired the status of rock concerts. Forsythe directed the Frankfurt Ballet until it disbanded in 2004. In 2005, he formed a new ballet company called the Forsythe Company that divides its performances between Frankfurt and Dresden, Germany.
