Ruth Priscilla Kirstein, “Petrouchka,” uniquely crosses the language of fencing with the languages of dance, theater, acrobatics and visual arts.

MINIATURE espagnole, the signature piece of her Mediterranean fencing-dance theater work about the sublimation of violence premiered at Salle Gaveau in Paris.

For Boston Ballet, she designed and launched the Taking Steps program, now a major staple of its educational outreach.

As a fencing coach, she not only laid the groundwork for successful competitive pursuits, but also used sword fighting techniques to teach academics and address neurological as well as developmental challenges.