NAMES IN THE NEWS : Robbins to Quit N.Y. Ballet

NEW YORK —  Jerome Robbins, regarded as one of the century’s finest choreographers, said he will resign as co-director of the New York City Ballet on Jan. 1.

Robbins, 71, plans to continue writing his memoirs and to develop an autobiographical theater piece. The ballet company announced his resignation Sunday.

“It’s important at my age to do other things,” he said. “I’m resigning from the New York City Ballet; I’m not retiring from the field.”

Though he is stepping down as co-director, Robbins is due soon to begin rehearsals at the City Ballet for a retrospective of his ballets since 1944. The Robbins festival is scheduled to be presented next spring.

The choreographer, who has worked with the City Ballet since 1949, has spent most of the past year working on “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway,” a medley of excerpts from musicals he choreographed or directed.

Peter Martins, the City Ballet’s other co-director, will be solely responsible for the company’s artistic policy after Robbins’ resignation becomes effective.