Ballet Talk > Ralph Hoffman

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Alexandra

Dec 9 2008, 05:01 PM

Former dancer, lighting designer/stage manager for the late, still lamented National Ballet, chief of productions at Wolf Trap for years, and artistic administrator at the Kirov Academy of Ballet has died. Dirac posted an obit on Links, but I wanted to put it here, too.

An obituary for Ralph Hoffman, who has died at age 74.

QUOTE

Ralph Anton Hoffman, a former Broadway dancer and stage manager for the Washington National Ballet, died Dec. 4. He was 74.

Mr. Hoffman also was the longtime chief of Wolf Trap Farm Parks' division of performing arts and was the artistic administrator of the Kirov Academy of Ballet in the District. He died of bone cancer.

Juliet

Dec 9 2008, 07:30 PM

I'd heard this from friends......I am so very sad. A great font of information, kindness, artistic integrity and an all around mensch. I could always, always count on Ralph. He was a great guy....

Hans

Dec 10 2008, 12:20 PM

Quite a loss.

jonellew

Dec 10 2008, 12:27 PM

Sorry to read this. I was a student at the Kirov Academy from 1995-97, and I remember Ralph as a kind, familial presence in a sometimes cold environment and as benevolent distributor of pointe shoes and videotapes of academy performances.

Alexandra

Dec 10 2008, 07:22 PM

There will be a memorial at the school, but I don't have details. I'll post them when I do. I've also heard that there will be a memorial later next year (perhaps in the spring?) at Wolf Trap. Again, I'll post details when I have them.

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