Welcome Mthuthuzeli November as Charlotte Ballet’s Resident Choreographer!

Charlotte Ballet proudly announces the appointment of internationally acclaimed choreographer Mthuthuzeli November as the company’s new Resident Choreographer, effective immediately.
With a voice that is both urgent and poetic, November brings an uncompromising new energy to Charlotte Ballet. His choreography provokes an emotive force that invites us to look inward, creating a connection to the spiritual, collective, profoundly felt. His works are known for their raw vulnerability, narrative clarity, and ability to speak across cultures and generations.

Born in South Africa and trained in both classical and contemporary dance, Mthuthuzeli November is a highly sought-after choreographer, dancer, and curator whose choreography has earned international acclaim. Beginning his dance journey at 15, he quickly gained recognition by winning Best Contemporary Work twice at the South African International Ballet Competition before making his choreographic debut with Cape Dance Company in 2014.

Since his choreographic debut in 2014 with the Cape Dance Company and joining Ballet Black in 2015, November has created award-winning works, including the Laurence Olivier Award-winning INGOMA, and earned the Emerging Artist Award from Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees. In 2025, he was awarded the prestigious Benois de la Danse Award for Best Choreography, further cementing his place as a leading voice in contemporary ballet.

His choreography has been commissioned and presented by renowned companies and festivals worldwide, including the Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, English National Ballet, Washington Ballet, Northern Ballet, and Charlotte Ballet. His previous collaborations with Charlotte Ballet include Vibes and Variations and the powerful debut of From Africa with Love. Drawing deeply from personal history, communal memory, and universal themes, November’s work explores identity, displacement, resilience, and the profound power of belonging. Whether telling intimate human stories or crafting expansive visual landscapes, his choreography is as visceral as it is reflective, inviting audiences into spaces of empathy, connection, and self-growth.

A New Chapter for Charlotte Ballet
In his role as Resident Choreographer, November will collaborate with Charlotte Ballet’s artistic team to create original works for the main company, lead masterclasses for our academy and education programs, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the company’s repertory. His appointment marks an exciting step in Charlotte Ballet’s commitment to amplifying diverse voices, embracing new perspectives, and deepening connections with the Charlotte community and beyond. “Welcoming Mthuthuzeli November as our resident choreographer marks a transformative moment for Charlotte Ballet.” says Artistic Director Alejandro Cerrudo. “His voice is bold, his movement language deeply human, and his storytelling resonates across cultures. Mthuthuzeli doesn’t just choreograph dances, he creates worlds. We are very excited to include him as part of our company’s identity.”

Premiere of As I Am
Mthuthuzeli November’s first creation as Resident Choreographer, As I Am, will premiere during Charlotte Ballet’s Fall 2025 program, running October 30 – November 1 at the Knight Theater in Charlotte, NC. This marks his third collaboration with the company and reflects a powerful next chapter in contributing to the company’s creative aspirations. “I am finally surrounded by people who truly understand my movement,” says Resident Choreographer Mthuthuzeli November. “That understanding has opened the door to creating the kind of work I have always dreamed of. I feel welcomed and supported by the company, the dancers, and the overall energy and talent here. There is a real sense of belonging and a feeling that I am home. It gives me the freedom to create authentically, as I am, and with the hope that what we build resonates deeply with audiences across Charlotte.”