Executive Director

Barry Hughson

Executive Director

Barry Hughson brings to Atlanta Ballet a strong mix of talents and experience in the performing arts world. In addition to having been an award-winning dancer who has performed the works of George Balanchine, Choo San Goh and Antony Tudor, he has a broad history in arts administration. Hughson comes to Atlanta from the American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School in Princeton, NJ. There, as the Executive Director, he significantly increased touring revenue and introduced major new fund raising and programming initiatives. Prior to joining ARB, he was the first Executive Director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York City.
Hughson’s career as an arts administrator began at the historic Warner Theatre in Torrington, CT, where for over 11 years he was responsible for building the acclaimed education wing of the theatre, and as Executive Director, led a successful $12.5 million campaign to restore the Warner Theatre’s art deco building. Prior to his career as an arts administrator, Hughson trained at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts and the Connecticut Dance Theatre, and danced professionally with the Washington (DC) Ballet. On the national level, Hughson is a member of the Board of Directors of DanceUSA, the advocacy organization for dance in America, where he also served as a co-chair of the Manager’s Council. He resides in Lawrenceville, GA with his wife, Ashley Davidson-Hughson, a professional actress, and their daughter Aila Elizabeth.