Gordon I. Crowder - Artistic Director/CEO
Souvenance... “taut strength...Gordon Crowder...you have a truly emotional
experience. The tension throughout the piece was palpable. As it ended, the buzz of the
audience was one of gratitude and amazement.” Spoleto Festival USA 1998, Charleston
Gordon Crowder began his study of classical ballet in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At the age
of sixteen, Mr. Crowder was offered a scholarship to attend the renowned school of the
Royal Winnipeg Ballet, where he trained under the watchful eye of David Moroni. During
that time Mr. Crowder performed in ballets of the classical repertory such as Sleeping
Beauty, Romeo & Juliet and Giselle. After graduating with honors in 1993, he joined
the David Taylor Dance Theatre in Denver, Colorado, where he danced and worked with such
legends as Bruce Marks (Lark Ascending) and Milton Myers.
Romeo & Juliet... “...Gordon Crowder, who exhibits strength and style as
Romeo...perfect partner, brilliantly showing...sharp edge choreography with more than a
touch of bravura.” Post & Courier, Charleston
During his career, Mr. Crowder has danced with Ballet British Columbia, Banff Festival
Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theatre and Oregon Ballet Theatre. He has been featured in
renowned works of the 20th century including George Balanchine’s Allegro Brilliant,
Serenade and Rubies; Fernand Nault’s Carmina Burana; Crystal Pite’s Quest; Shawn
Hounsell’s Createrhood; Jill E. Bahr’s Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer
Night’s Dream, The Rite of Spring, and Dracula; Tony Pimble’s Two’s
Company; Brad Moranz’s Broadway Legends; James Canfield’s Romeo and Juliet, Lady
Lucille and the Count, and The Nutcracker; Ann Marie DeAngelo’s Glimpse; Daniel
Baudendistel’s Soirée en Passant; and Charles Moulton’s Chickens.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream... “Gordon Crowder as King Oberon...added blessing of
superb dancing.” Post & Courier, Charleston
In 2001 Mr. Crowder was engaged by several leading members of the Charleston community to
create a new classical ballet company. Mr. Crowder returns to South Carolina with his
artistic vision and experience as a founder of Atlantic Southeast Ballet, Inc. |
Susanne
Crowder-Puerschel - Associate Artistic Director
“Susanne Puerschel dancing in ... A Midsummer Night’s Dream, must be,
hands-down, the most elegant Queen Titania ever.” Post & Courier, Charleston
Susanne Crowder-Puerschel studied at the prestigious State Ballet School of Berlin,
formerly East Germany, for eight years. There she received her training in classical
ballet, modern dance, jazz and folk and had the special privilege to perform with the
Staatsoper, Berlin’s internationally renowned ballet company. She appeared in La
Bayadere, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Rudolph Nureyev’s Sleeping Beauty. Graduating
with honors in 1992, Ms. Crowder-Puerschel was invited to permanently join the ballet of
the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin. She has worked with many internationally known
choreographers including William Forsythe, Rudolph Nureyev, Roland Petit, Maurice Bejart,
Peter Martins and Patrice Bart. She was recognized for her outstanding artistry,
performing the Hungarian Princess in Swan Lake; Pas de Deux in Fearful Symmetries; 11th
waltz in Les Sylphide; Friend of Kitri in Don Quixote and the third movement in Symphony
in C.
Nutcracker... “Ballerina from Berlin takes a shine to Snow Queen Role.” Post
& Courier, Charleston
After leaving Germany to settle in the United States, Ms. Crowder-Puerschel accepted the
position as principal dancer with the Charleston Ballet Theatre in South Carolina. There
she received acclaim for her interpretation of Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
by Jill E. Bahr and as the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker.
Seven Deadly Sins... “Susanne Puerschel...was spectacular as
“Envy”...” Post & Courier, Charleston
She was also noted for her exquisite performance in Balanchine’s Serenade as a
company member of Oregon Ballet Theatre in 2001.
Ms. Crowder-Puerschel has returned to Charleston with her husband Gordon Crowder to found
the newly formed Atlantic Southeast Ballet, Inc. |
Alex Ossadnik - Resident Choreographer
Alex Ossadnik was born in Erfurt, East Germany. He studied at the Palucca Schule Dresden
from 1979 to 1987. There he received his formal education and training in classical ballet
(Vaganova), modern dance, improvisation, choreography, international folk dance and jazz.
After graduating, he joined the ballet company of the German National Theater in Weimar
where he was featured as principal dancer until 1991. He also appeared on national
television on numerous occasions and was a finalist in the national Ballet Competition of
East Germany in Dessau. After the reunification of Germany, he joined the Ballet Theatre
de Bordeaux in France under the artistic direction of Paolo Bortuluzzi for the next four
years. In 1995 after an extensive tour through the United States, he decided to leave the
company and to remain in America. He has been featured in roles of the classical and
contemporary repertoire in many companies, including Oregon Ballet Theatre under the
direction of James Canfield.
The first work he choreographed was for his graduation from the Palucca Schule Dresden in
1987, and the German National Theater Weimar premiered one of his works in 1989. He was
also offered the opportunity to co-direct productions such as Les Noces, Seven Deadly Sins
and Tales of Hoffman. Since then he has received high critical acclaim for his ballets
from the press and audiences.
He co-founded the Santa Fe Festival Ballet in 1996 and remained with the company as Ballet
Master and Ballet Director for four very successful years. He worked with dancers from the
Boston Ballet, New York City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet and the Alberta Ballet (Canada)
during that time.
Mr. Ossadnik has choreographed ballets such as Carmen, Giselle, The Rite of Spring,
Pulcinella, La Mer, Orpheus, Romeo and Juliet, Brandenburg Concerto #4, Postcard from
Vienna, La Folia, Transfigured Night and Moonlight Sonata, as well as creating an
extensive body of original works.
Mr. Ossadnik has experience in artistic administration, fund-raising and marketing. He has
also written reviews for Bravo Magazine and ABQ Arts Magazine. He has served on the Board
of Directors of the New Mexico Dance Coalition; is Artist-in-Residence and Artistic
Advisor for Ballet Theatre of New Mexico; Artist-in-Residence at the Rio Grande Valley
Ballet, Texas; and Director of Dance for the Public Academy for Performing Arts in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Mr. Ossadnik is a founder of Atlantic Southeast Ballet, Inc. and brings his choreographic
talent and knowledge of the European style of classical movement to the company.
Praise for the choreography of Alex Ossadnik
“The overall effect was original, beautiful and abstracted...” Albuquerque Arts
Magazine, New Mexico, in a review of La Mer.
Postcard from Vienna... “The fun began the minute the curtain opened. Ossadnik kept
things light, with nice humorous touches.” Santa Fe New Mexican |