Ron Cunningham, the artistic director of the Sacramento Ballet from 1988 to 2018, died Saturday after a long illness. He was 86.

During his decades leading the ballet alongside his wife and co-artistic director, Carinne Binda, he helped the company establish itself as a professional troupe, staged many original works and nurtured the careers of numerous dancers.

The ballet’s annual “Nutcracker,” which could involve hundreds of roles for local children, became a cherished annual tradition for the community.

Sacramento Ballet Artistic Director Ron Cunningham directs fencing practice for a production of “Romeo and Juliet” with his dancers in 1995. Sacramento Ballet Artistic Director Ron Cunningham directs fencing practice for a production of “Romeo and Juliet” with his dancers in 1995. LAURA CHUN Sacramento Bee file Ron Cunningham, artistic director of the Sacramento Ballet, center, smiles with dancers Charles Torres and Nina Baratova in advance of a production of “Romeo and Juliet” in 1995. Ron Cunningham, artistic director of the Sacramento Ballet, center, smiles with dancers Charles Torres and Nina Baratova in advance of a production of “Romeo and Juliet” in 1995. LAURA CHUN Sacramento Bee file Artistic Director Ron Cunningham directs dancers during a Sacramento Ballet rehearsal in 1997. Artistic Director Ron Cunningham directs dancers during a Sacramento Ballet rehearsal in 1997. LEILANI HU Sacramento Bee file Ron Cunningham, artistic director for the Sacramento Ballet, watches dancers audition for the Nutcracker on Sept. 19, 1998. Ron Cunningham, artistic director for the Sacramento Ballet, watches dancers audition for the Nutcracker on Sept. 19, 1998. HECTOR AMEZCUA Sacramento Bee file Sacramento Ballet dancer and choreographer Luis Napoles, left, answers questions from the audience with Artistic Director Ron Cunningham during an outreach program at C.K. McClatchy High School in 2001. Sacramento Ballet dancer and choreographer Luis Napoles, left, answers questions from the audience with Artistic Director Ron Cunningham during an outreach program at C.K. McClatchy High School in 2001. FLORENCE LOW Sacramento Bee file Ron Cunningham, artistic director of the Sacramento Ballet, checks the shipping document for props and back drops from St. Petersburg, Russia, for “The Nutcracker” which were delivered to the ballet studio in 2003. Ron Cunningham, artistic director of the Sacramento Ballet, checks the shipping document for props and back drops from St. Petersburg, Russia, for “The Nutcracker” which were delivered to the ballet studio in 2003. JAY MATHER Sacramento Bee file Ron Cunningham, artistic director of the Sacramento Ballet, discusses the new sets for a “Nutcracker” production of the with then-Mayor Heather Fargo at the Sacramento Community Center Theater in 2003. Ron Cunningham, artistic director of the Sacramento Ballet, discusses the new sets for a “Nutcracker” production of the with then-Mayor Heather Fargo at the Sacramento Community Center Theater in 2003. JAY MATHER Sacramento Bee file Sacramento Ballet artistic directors Carinne Binda and Ron Cunningham in 2005. Sacramento Ballet artistic directors Carinne Binda and Ron Cunningham in 2005. RANDY PENCH Sacramento Bee file Ron Cunningham as Drosselmeyer with Megan Horton as a doll for a Sacramento Ballet “Nutcracker” production in 2005. Ron Cunningham as Drosselmeyer with Megan Horton as a doll for a Sacramento Ballet “Nutcracker” production in 2005. JAY MATHER Sacramento Bee file Artistic Director Ron Cunningham as Drosselmeyer with dancers Colby Damon as the prince and Samantha McKenzie, 11, as Clara for a Sacramento Ballet “Nutcracker” production in 2005. Artistic Director Ron Cunningham as Drosselmeyer with dancers Colby Damon as the prince and Samantha McKenzie, 11, as Clara for a Sacramento Ballet “Nutcracker” production in 2005. JAY MATHER Sacramento Bee file Sacramento Ballet dancers rehearse at the direction of Ron Cunningham, center, at the ballet’s studio in 2008. Sacramento Ballet dancers rehearse at the direction of Ron Cunningham, center, at the ballet’s studio in 2008. RANDALL BENTON Sacramento Bee file Artistic Director Ron Cunningham makes some adjustments to props during a dress rehearsal of "Nutcracker" at the Community Center Theater in Sacramento in 2008. Artistic Director Ron Cunningham makes some adjustments to props during a dress rehearsal of “Nutcracker” at the Community Center Theater in Sacramento in 2008. RANDALL BENTON Sacramento Bee file Sacramento Ballet co-artistic director Ron Cunningham shows a group of young hopefuls how to do the bunny hop during an audition for “The Nutcracker” in 2009. Over 700 children and their parents lined the block around the ballet studios for one of the 500 roles for children roles in the holiday classic. Sacramento Ballet co-artistic director Ron Cunningham shows a group of young hopefuls how to do the bunny hop during an audition for “The Nutcracker” in 2009. Over 700 children and their parents lined the block around the ballet studios for one of the 500 roles for children roles in the holiday classic. MANNY CRISOSTOMO Sacramento Bee file Artistic Director Ron Cunningham auditions a group of young dancers for “Nutcracker” at the Sacramento Ballet studio in 2010. Artistic Director Ron Cunningham auditions a group of young dancers for “Nutcracker” at the Sacramento Ballet studio in 2010. RANDALL BENTON Sacramento Bee file Alexandra Cunningham as Juliet and Artistic Director Ron Cunningham as Friar Laurence in the 2012 Sacramento Ballet production of "Romeo & Juliet,” which celebrated Cunningham’s 25th year as co-artistic director. Alexandra Cunningham as Juliet and Artistic Director Ron Cunningham as Friar Laurence in the 2012 Sacramento Ballet production of “Romeo & Juliet,” which celebrated Cunningham’s 25th year as co-artistic director. MANNY CRISOSTOMO Sacramento Bee file Sacramento Ballet Artistic Director Ron Cunningham works with children and professional dancers during a 2017 rehearsal of his final “Nutcracker” production. Sacramento Ballet Artistic Director Ron Cunningham works with children and professional dancers during a 2017 rehearsal of his final “Nutcracker” production. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS Sacramento Bee file Sacramento Ballet Artistic Director Ron Cunningham, center, listens during a dress rehearsal at the B Street Theater of his final production on June 14, 2018. Sacramento Ballet Artistic Director Ron Cunningham, center, listens during a dress rehearsal at the B Street Theater of his final production on June 14, 2018. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS Sacramento Bee file
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Nathaniel Levine

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Bee visuals editor Nathaniel Levine joined the staff in 2003. His work has received awards from the Society of News Design, the Best of the West journalism competition and the California News Publishers Association, among others. A native Californian, Levine grew up in Grass Valley and attended UC Davis.