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March 30, 2026
By Stephanie Allmon Merry
March 30, 2026 at 6a.m.
Ben Stevenson, OBE, the longest-serving artistic director of Fort Worth-based Texas Ballet Theater and a towering figure in ballet, died March 29, 2026 – just days before his 90th birthday, which would have been April 4.
“Stevenson’s profound impact on dance spanned decades and continents, shaping countless careers and elevating ballet companies to global prominence,” reads a statement from the Ben Stevenson Trust. His cause of death has not been made public.
Stevenson served as TBT artistic director from 2003 to 2022, when he transitioned to a new role as artistic director laureate – a lifetime appointment. He continued to work with North Texas dancers in studio, set the choreography for his legendary ballets, and attend performances; he was spotted in the audience of the company’s most recent mixed-rep program just weeks ago.
