Local Limelight: Zalman Raffael of Carolina Ballet
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Photo illustration: Axios Visuals; Photo: Courtesy of Carolina Ballet
As the CEO and artistic director of the Carolina Ballet, Zalman Raffael is not only tasked with crafting the choreography but also the finances that keep the lights on.
Raffael, who became CEO in 2019, has helped the Carolina Ballet's budget grow to more than 52 dancers, open its own school and build a budget of $8.6 million.
- "Every decision is artistic even if it's a business decision," Raffael told Axios. "And the longer I've had the opportunity to stay around the clearer that has become."
Axios spoke with Raffael for our Local Limelight series. Answers have been edited for Smart Brevity and clarity.
✈️ What brought you to the Triangle? I moved to Raleigh from New York in 2005 to join Carolina Ballet when I was 19.
🚗 What was your biggest adjustment to living here? I grew up walking in the streets everywhere and in Raleigh everyone uses a car.
- But downtown has become more vibrant. North Hills has a lot more life in them, you know. And, I just think (all of the Triangle's) communities have grown from being smaller to larger, and that has been, at least for me, very revitalizing and hopeful.
🍽️ Favorite place to eat in the Triangle: I really like Stanbury, Jolie and Crawford and Son.
⏰ First read in the morning: The time.
- I used to sit around and read a lot in the mornings but I found it wasn't actually good for my emotional space. Now I get in the car with my dog and go to Dix Park to walk around.
📖 Last great book you read: "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde," which Raffael is translating to the stage for a show.
🩰 Favorite ballets: I love "Giselle," which is one of the oldest ballets. I love "Theme and Variations" by Balanchine. I love "Opus 19/The Dreamer" and "Symposium" by Robert Weiss.
🏙️ Why are the arts important to a city? I think the more awareness the arts get, the more awareness [all social causes] get, because arts sensitize people.
🎭 What are you looking forward to? I really do look forward to watching [this generation's] dancers mature into not just great artists but also great people.