Peter Sellars

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Peter Sellars (Matthew Septimus)

Peter Sellars, a director of opera, theatre and film, is renowned worldwide for his innovative treatments of classical material from western and non-western traditions, and for his commitment to exploring the role of the performing arts in contemporary society. 

He has served as artistic director of the Los Angeles Festival, the American National Theatre at the Kennedy Center, the Boston Shakespeare Company and the Elitch Theatre for Children in Denver. He is a recipient of the MacArthur Prize Fellowship and was awarded the Erasmus Prize at the Dutch Royal Palace for contributions to European culture.

Recent projects include directing John Adams's El Niño, a nativity oratorio, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, as well as the Los Angeles Philharmonic's production; Handel's Theodora; Stravinksy's The Story of a Soldier with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, a 25-year survey exhibition of the work of American artist Bill Viola; Jean Genet's The Screens, adapted by poet Gloria Alvarez, with the Cornerstone Theater Company and performers from the community of Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles; and Peony Pavilion composed by Tan Dun and featuring renowned Kun Opera performer Hua Wenyi.

He is currently a professor at the UCLA Department of World Arts Cultures/Dance, and past teaching positions include a visiting professorship at the Center for Theatre Arts at UC Berkeley.