The Washington Ballet, struggling through contentious contract negotiations with its dancers and the cost of having prematurely closed its "Nutcracker" run in a related dispute, has suffered another blow. Rebecca Wright, director of the company's affiliated Washington School of Ballet, died Sunday night after a long battle with cancer, officials announced yesterday.

In Memoriam:
Moira Shearer (1926-2006), Rebecca Wright (1947-2006)
by DEBORAH JOWITT for the Village Voice

At the time of her death from cancer, Wright had taken over the directorship of the Washington School of Ballet from its legendary founder, Mary Day, and was doing a superb job. It was only one of many teaching and administrative positions she held, including ones at California State University at Long Beach, Adelphi University, and in ABT's summer programs.

published: February 13, 2006