In 2011 Hallberg became the first American to become a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet.[1][10] Hallberg was invited by Sergei Filin, Bolshoi Ballet's artistic director to join as either a guest artist or principal.[3] His decision to join was made, in part, to dance with ballerinaNatalia Osipova with whom he had danced previously.[3] However, owing to a severe ankle injury,[11] he did not perform with the Bolshoi after July 2014, and the association ended formally in 2017.
During two years off stage due to complications recovering from surgery on his left foot, Hallberg spent 15 months working with The Australian Ballet's physiotherapy and rehabilitation team,[12] building a relationship with the company that resulted in his being named Resident Guest Artist.[2] He finally returned to the stage in a role début, that of Franz in Coppélia, with The Australian Ballet and partnered with Amber Scott in December 2016.[13]
Hallberg starred in the 2017 Nike campaign, "I, David", directed by Niclas Gillis with set design by James Casebere.[14]
Hallberg published a memoir, A Body of Work: Dancing to the Edge and Back, with the Touchstone imprint of Simon & Schuster in November 2017.[15]
Hallberg established the David Hallberg Scholarship to mentor aspiring male dancers at American Ballet Theatre's Studio Company and Ballet Arizona.[16] Hallberg has directed ABT Incubator, a two-week choreographic program at Ballet Theater, since 2018.[6]
In March 2020 The Australian Ballet announced Hallberg as the new artistic director, succeeding David McAllister. He assumed the position in January 2021. Hallberg's final tour as a dancer was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] He is set to have a "a proper farewell performance" during ABT's 2021 Metropolitan Opera House season.[6]
^Tanner, Tango (August–September 2006). "A Princely Principal". Pointe Magazine Online. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
^ ab"David Hallberg". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
^Hooton, Amanda (December 5, 2020). "Enter, Stage Right". Good Weekend magazine supplement. The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 21. Retrieved December 6, 2020. [Sue] Mayes and two colleagues ... devised a plan. At first, there was no ballet at all, just exercises to rebuild muscle and movement.
