David Heuvel
Director of Costume Production Emeritus
Ballet West
David Heuvel continues to have an illustrious career in costume design and production that has taken him to every corner of the globe. Five decades ago, David started as an apprentice at the Opera Theatre in Pretoria, South Africa. He quickly moved up the ranks in the state-run arts organization to become the director of the costume shop for PACT Ballet.
In 1979, then-artistic director of Ballet West, Bruce Marks, invited David to head the fledgling company’s costume shop. Under Marks, David helped build the reputation of Ballet West from a regional ballet company, to one with international stature. The company was receiving worldwide acclaim, with international tours, daring new works, and notable artistry on stage, from the dancers, and yes, the costumes.
The Ballet West costume shop, under David’s direction, is unparalleled. Today, few companies have the luxury of the vast talent and experience that David offers. From cohesive designs with historical accuracy, to the tactile ability to dye garments, David’s costume shop is the definition of full-service.
Apart from David’s work with Ballet West, he has designed and built costumes for ballet companies both nationally and internationally, including Ballet Du Nord (France), Alberta Ballet, Ballet Met, Singapore Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Ballet Hawaii, Nashville Ballet, and Ballet Memphis.
In December 2018, David received Governor Gary Herbert’s prestigious Artist Award for Visual Arts.
Join us in honoring David Heuvel for decades of master artistry that has delighted audiences around the world and here at home.
“My philosophy is that the costume must move with the dancer.
If they touch the stage feeling comfortable and regal, I have done my job.”
~ David Heuvel
Director of Costume Production Emeritus
Ballet West
Principal Artist Hadriel Diniz,
Demi-Soloist Joshua Whitehead and Artist David Huffmire
Principal Artist Adrian Fry,
Artist Olivia Gusti and Artists of Ballet West
Images: Artists of Ballet West in Michael Smuin’s Romeo + Juliet
Courtesy of Luke Isley and Ballet West Company Photographer Beau Pearson
Costume Design by David Heuvel, Director of Costume Production Emeritus, Ballet West
Keepsake courtesy of Ballet West Guild
February 2022
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