Robert de Warren.

After 14 years at the helm of Sarasota Ballet, during which he choreographed 12 full-length ballets and 25 total works for the company, artistic director Robert de Warren is retiring in June. "At 73," he says, "I think it's time to take it easy."

Born in Uruguay and raised in Argentina, de Warren was trained at The Royal Ballet School and was a member of The Royal Ballet for six years. He directed the La Scala Opera Ballet in Milan from 1986-1993.

"He has a very worldly experience," says Lauren Strongin, principal at Sarasota Ballet. "I think it's helpful for dancers to have experience working with someone who's well-traveled and has a wide knowledge of the dance world."

De Warren played Dr. Coppelius in his version of Coppelia in March and will premiere his final work with the company, appropriately rifled Last Call, this month. In the summer he will stage his Carmina Burana in Brazil with the National Symphony. Also a designer, he's been asked to design costumes and scenery for The Royal Swedish Ballet. He says he'll be doing "enough to keep the pot boiling." Iain Webb, also from The Royal Ballet, will take over as the company's artistic director in July.