(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) February 16, 2025—San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) mourns the passing of Joyce A. Moffatt, a devoted leader and advocate for the arts. As general manager and the company’s first female executive director in the 1980s, she made significant contributions to SF Ballet and the broader dance community, leaving a lasting impact. Her dedication inspired many who followed in her footsteps. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and the countless colleagues who benefited from her directly and her ongoing legacy.
Joyce A. Moffatt, a celebrated General Manager and Executive in the performing arts world, whose career spanned more than 50 years, died on January 26, 2025, at her home in Landrum, S.C. She was 89.
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ms. Moffatt attended the University of Michigan, earning a BA in Literature and MA in Theatre. After her early work with regional companies, she arrived in New York in the early l960’s, working first as the Subscription Manager for the APA Phoenix Theatre, then Director of Ticket Sales for City Center of Music and Drama, Inc., the umbrella for both New York City Opera and New York City Ballet.
She honed her management skills with the San Antonio Symphony, then returned to New York City to take on the General Management of the newly created 55th Street Dance Theater Foundation, Inc., whose constituents included American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Joffrey Ballet and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, all performing at the City Center Theater. Soon thereafter, she was recruited to become the General Manager of ABT, under the Artistic Directorship of Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith followed by Mikhail Baryshnikov. She produced the 40th Anniversary gala celebration of the company and worked with Live From Lincoln Center to produce several televised performances of ABT from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House.
Ms. Moffatt took a brief foray into the commercial world becoming the Vice President Production for Radio City Music Hall before heading west to take the position of Executive Director with San Francisco Ballet, followed by her tenure as Managing Director of Houston Ballet.
In 1995, she settled in Chicago for what was intended as a short-term engagement as the General Manager of the newly formed Music and Dance Theater Chicago, Inc. Eight years later, and after project managing construction of a new performing arts theater for twelve constituent companies, the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater opened in 2003 to great acclaim.
Throughout her non-stop career, Ms. Moffatt served on the Boards of Directors of several foundations and community and educational organizations including, most recently, Thermal Belt Outreach, Tryon Fine Arts Center, St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation and the Design and Review Committee in Landrum, S.C.
In 2005 she retired to Landrum, S.C., where she lived with her long-time close friend, Beth Romney, until Joyce’s death. She is survived by her sister, Joan Gunning, nephews David and Michael Gunning; Nieces Janet Saleno, Ann Denny and Carol Gunning.
