Robert Mills, a multifaceted figure in the world of dance, embodies boundless creativity as an artist and transformative leadership as a visionary director.
Raised in Northwest Indiana near Chicago, Robert's journey into ballet began under the guidance of Natalie Mayoch-Kolosci. His pursuit of excellence led him to esteemed mentors in Chicago, including Richard Ellis and Christine DuBoulay of London's Royal Ballet, Larry Long at the Ruth Page Foundation, and the renowned Anna Paskevska. After completing his training at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, Robert embarked on a distinguished fifteen-year performing career with seven premier ballet companies across the United States including Milwaukee Ballet, Philadelphia Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Eugene Ballet and Ballet Idaho.
Most recently, his tenure as artistic director of Oklahoma City Ballet spanned fourteen years and marked an era of remarkable growth and innovation for the company. Under his leadership, OKCB experienced exponential expansion, both in budget and artistic repertoire. Under his guidance, the organization's budget quadrupled, and the ensemble expanded from 14 to 29 professional dancers. The repertoire flourished as well, showcasing works by esteemed choreographers like George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Nacho Duato, Agnes de Mille, and Jiri Kylian. Initiatives like Future Voices and the establishment of the Studio Company underscored his commitment to nurturing emerging talent and bridging the gap between training and professional careers. Additionally, Robert spearheaded community engagement programs and a highly acclaimed annual summer intensive, broadening the organization's impact beyond the stage. The transformation earned accolades from the Oklahoman newspaper, praising the company's evolution into a vibrant and powerful force in the dance world. In recognition of his contributions, Robert received the Governor’s Arts Award from the state of Oklahoma in 2018.
A prolific choreographer, Robert's body of work encompasses over 25 original works, from short repertory pieces to beloved full-length productions like Romeo and Juliet and The Little Mermaid. His work has been staged across the United States and in 2017 he was invited to participate in the National Choreographers Initiative in Southern California.
Before his tenure at Oklahoma City Ballet, Robert served as artistic director of Ballet Nouveau Colorado in Denver, where his visionary leadership elevated the organization to prominence, earning acclaim from the Denver Post and Dance Magazine. The legacy of his tenure continues through the thriving entities of Wonderbound and the Colorado Conservatory of Dance.
Beyond his roles as choreographer and director, Robert is a sought-after dance educator, shaping the next generation of dancers through his teaching and staging of classical ballet worldwide. His impact resonates through the success of his students, who have graced stages with renowned companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Oklahoma City Ballet, and Parsons Dance among others.
Movement and music mingle sublimely in Mills' production to convey the full range of emotions inherent in William Shakespeare's famed tale of young love and old hate. - Brandy McDonnell - The Oklahoman
It is a challenge for any ballet company to find a balance between maintaining a beloved tradition and keeping a production fresh, but Robert Mills has found great success with his delightful version of "The Nutcracker." - Kathleen Redwine - The Oklahoman
"The Little Mermaid" swept the opening night audience away from the everyday and into a magical world of beauty and enchantment. Choreographer Robert Mills has created a fresh and brilliant blend of innovation and tradition. - Kathleen Redwine - The Oklahoman