GUEST CHOREOGRAPHERS
Laura O'Malley
Laura O'Malley was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and trained on full scholarship at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. Laura went on to dance professionally at globally renowned companies such as the Boston Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, and Stuttgart Ballet, where she was promoted to soloist. In 2012, Laura was invited to dance for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, which eventually led to her tenure with Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet. In 2017 Laura joined SFDanceworks, where she later also choreographed and became co-director.
As a performer, Laura was lauded for her interpretations in dozens of soloist and principal roles including title roles in “Giselle”, “La Sylphide”, “Lulu”. She originated roles in creations by Douglas Lee, Wayne McGregor, Mauro Bigonzetti, Alejandro Cerrudo, Christian Spuck, Krzyztof Pastor, Bridget Breiner, Alonzo King, and Danielle Rowe, and performed work by acclaimed choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Nacho Duato, Mats Ek, Marco Goecke, Hans van Manen, Jorma Elo, Twyla Tharp, and Martha Graham.
Having had the unparalleled experience of collaborating with so many innovators, Laura takes great pride in sharing her knowledge as a facilitator, creator, and educator with Lines ballet’s education programs. Work that led her to serve as the rehearsal director for Lines Ballet from 2021-2022.
In 2022, Laura committed fully to pursuing her own choreographic career. Laura has had works commissioned by American Ballet Theater’s choreographic incubator project, and was a finalist at the 2019 Palm Desert Choreography Festival. Laura has been referred to as "a choreographer to watch" by Rachel Howard, for her highly regarded commissions for SFDanceworks.
Outside of choreography and mentorship, Laura enjoys reading with her two cats, hiking the great California trails, and teaching GYROTONIC®.