Gilbert T. Small II (Company Director) Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Gilbert T. Small II (he/him) is an internationally recognized dancer, educator, and leader in contemporary dance. He joined Gibney in 2020 as Curatorial Director of Training & Rehearsal Director for Gibney Company, and in 2022 was promoted to Company Director, where he now advances the organization’s vision of artistic excellence, social integrity, and meaningful storytelling.
Gilbert’s formal training began at the Baltimore School for the Arts. He earned his BFA from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance in 2009, including a transformative study-abroad experience at Codarts in Rotterdam, which broadened his understanding of dance as a multifaceted art form. Prior to his leadership at Gibney, he spent ten years with Ballet British Columbia under the leadership of Emily Molnar, creating and performing works by choreographers such as William Forsythe, Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Johan Inger, Medhi Walerski, Emily Molnar, and Cayetano Soto, among others. As a senior artist there, he also took on the role of Rehearsal Director for the company’s Fall 2017 season.
In addition to his leadership and performance career, Gilbert is deeply committed to mentorship and education. He serves as guest faculty for institutions internationally, cultivating relationships with both emerging and established artists, and fostering connections across diverse communities and demographics.
His leadership and artistic vision were recently recognized in Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” for 2025.