Zsilas Michael Hughes
Zsilas Michael Hughes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2002 or 2003 (age 22–23) |
| Career | |
| Current group | Pacific Northwest Ballet |
| Dances | Ballet |
Zsilas Michael Hughes (born 2002 or 2003)[1] is an American ballet dancer and choreographer. They are a member of the corps de ballet at Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Career
Hughes is African-American[2] and from Little Rock, Arkansas.[3] They danced at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.[4] Hughes joined PNB as an apprentice in 2021, and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2022.[3]
Hughes began dancing en pointe in 2020, with the support of PNB artistic director Peter Boal. Hughes has said that working en pointe has made them a better dancer when performing the supportive roles in pas de deux, as they now better understand how the ankle and foot of their partner should be aligned.[5]
Hughes has also performed with Ballet22, a company based in Oakland, California which "presents straight and queer male, trans, and nonbinary dancers on pointe, in their true gender identities".[5][6][7]
In 2023, Hughes choreographed the new piece Piano Concerto Appasionata in B Minor for 13 dancers. NW Theatre said of the work, "Hughes’ work is complex but not confusing, intricate but not busy".[8] Hughes has also choreographed work that has combined more classical ballet technique with ballroom and voguing.[9]
Hughes has been noted for their stage presence[9] and "lovely rubato quality".[7]
Personal life
Hughes is non-binary,[1] and uses they/them, he/him, and she/her pronouns.[3] They moved to Seattle in January 2021.[10]
In addition to ballet, Hughes is active in the region's ballroom scene.[10]
Repertoire
- Allegro Brillante (Balanchine)
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Balanchine), Fairy[3]
- The Nutcracker (Balanchine), Snow, Flowers, Peacock, Mouse King[11]
- Quick Pleasures (Kiyon Ross)[12]
- throes of increasing wonder (Kiyon Ross)[13]
- The Seasons’ Canon (Crystal Pite)
- The Times Are Racing (Justin Peck)[14]
Awards and recognition
- 2017 Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP); First Place in Classical/Contemporary division[3]
References
- ^ a b Tyler, Dana (2022-06-24). "Nonbinary dancers blur lines of gender and classical roles in Pacific Northwest Ballet". CBS New York. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ Macdonald, Moira (2023-01-26). "5 of Pacific Northwest Ballet's Black dancers on changes in the ballet world". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ^ a b c d e "Zsilas Michael Hughes | Corps de Ballet". Pacific Northwest Ballet. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ "Pacific Northwest Ballet Noelani Pantastico". Dance Informa Magazine. 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ a b Bauer, Claudia (2024-06-03). "Meet Three Nonbinary Ballet Dancers Performing On Pointe". Dance Magazine. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ Bauer, Claudia (2023-07-26). "Ballet22 Transcends the Ballet Binary in Momentum". Pointe Magazine. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ a b Howard, Rachel. "Ballet22 proves rigid gender norms have no place in dance with electrifying S.F. show". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2025-07-26. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ^ Hansen, Melody Datz (2023-06-15). "On to the 'Next' One: PNB Dancers Choreograph, and Students Take the Big Stage". NWTheatre. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ a b Smith, Rich. "'Here Because' Made the Future of Seattle Dance Look Bright". The Stranger. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ a b "SPOTLIGHT: Zsilas Michael Hughes". SeattleDances. 2023-06-26. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ "Balanchine's Nutcracker at PNB brings pure joy this holiday season". Seattle Gay News. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ "12 Standout Performances of 2024". Pointe Magazine. 2024-12-23. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ^ "Pacific Northwest Ballet "Directors Choice" Presents Two Stunning Works". L.A. Dance Chronicle. 2025-06-19. Retrieved 2025-10-13.
- ^ Warner, Tam (2024-10-10). "Review: Pacific Northwest Ballet's "The Times Are Racing"". L.A. Dance Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-01-05.