John Clifford (choreographer)

John Charles Clifford (né Povilaitis; June 12, 1947) is an American producer, director, author, choreographer, and a dancer. He was the founder and artistic director of the original Los Angeles Ballet (1974–1985) and the chamber-sized touring ensemble Ballet of Los Angeles (1988–1991). Before that time, Clifford was a principal dancer and a choreographer (8 ballets before age 26) with George Balanchine’s New York City Ballet (1966–1974). Balanchine invited him back as a guest artist numerous times, and his last performances with the company were in 1980.