American Ballet Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids American Ballet Theatre |
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| General information | |
| Name | American Ballet Theatre |
| Previous names | Ballet Theatre |
| Year founded | 1939 |
| Principal venue | Metropolitan Opera House New York City |
| Website | abt.org |
| Artistic staff | |
| Artistic Director | Susan Jaffe |
| Other | |
| Associated schools | Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School |
| Formation |
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The American Ballet Theatre (often called ABT) is a famous classical ballet company. It is based in New York City. Founded in 1939 by Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant, it is known as one of the best classical ballet companies in the world.
Each spring, ABT performs for eight weeks at the Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center). They also have a shorter season in the fall at the David H. Koch Theater. The rest of the year, the company travels and performs all over the world. ABT also runs the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. In 2006, the United States Congress officially called ABT "America's National Ballet Company."
Contents
History of ABT
In 1939, Richard Pleasant and Lucia Chase decided to create a big ballet company. They wanted it to perform many different kinds of ballets. They formed a group called Ballet Theatre. Their very first show was on January 11, 1940. Lucia Chase worked hard to build the company's collection of ballets. She included famous full-length ballets and new, original dances. The company often faced money problems. In 1945, Oliver Smith joined Ballet Theatre. He became a co-director with Chase.
In 1957, the company changed its name to American Ballet Theatre. It kept focusing on classic ballets. But financial challenges continued. In the 1960s and 1970s, things got better. More private money helped the company. During this time, American Ballet Theatre started to focus on hiring star dancers. In 1977, the company began its spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center). This became their main performance home.
Mikhail Baryshnikov became the artistic director of American Ballet Theatre in 1980. He helped improve many classical ballets. He made the company's classical style even stronger. In 1989, Jane Hermann and Oliver Smith took over as artistic directors. Then, in 1992, Kevin McKenzie became the artistic director. McKenzie made sure the company performed many full-length story ballets. This pleased traditional ballet fans. He also helped the company survive tough financial times. In 2004, he started an official ballet school. It was named the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. In 2009, McKenzie brought in Alexei Ratmansky as an "Artist in Residence." This was the first time in a long while the company had an in-house choreographer.
McKenzie left the company in late 2022. Susan Jaffe was chosen to take his place. She became the new artistic director at the end of 2022. Ratmansky left the company in June 2023.
Artistic Leadership
This section lists the main people who have led the American Ballet Theatre.
Artistic Directors
- Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith (1940–1980)
- Mikhail Baryshnikov (1980–1989)
- Jane Hermann and Oliver Smith (1989–1992)
- Kevin McKenzie (1992–2022)
- Susan Jaffe (2022–present)
Executive Directors
- Rachel S. Moore (2003–2016)
- Kara Medoff Barnett (2016–2021)
- Janet Rollé (2021–2023)
- Barry Hughson (2024–present)
Resident Choreographers
- Antony Tudor (1940–1950)
- Alexei Ratmansky (2009–2023)
Music Directors and Conductors
- Ormsby Wilkins (music director) (current)
- Charles Barker (principal conductor) (current)
- David LaMarche (conductor) (current)
- Benjamin Bowman (concertmaster) (current)
Dancers of ABT
American Ballet Theatre has four levels for its dancers. They are, from lowest to highest:
- apprentice
- corps de ballet
- soloist
- principal
The principal dancers are the lead performers. Soloists perform important individual roles. The corps de ballet are the dancers who perform together as a group. Apprentices are new dancers learning the ropes.
Current Principal Dancers
| Name | Nationality | Joined ABT | Promoted to Principal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joo Won Ahn |  South Korea |
2014 | 2020 |
| Aran Bell |  USA |
2017 | 2020 |
| Isabella Boylston | USA |
2007 | 2014 |
| Skylar Brandt | USA |
2011 | 2020 |
| Daniel Camargo |  Brazil |
2022 | Joined as Principal |
| Misty Copeland | United States |
2001 | 2015 |
| Herman Cornejo |  Argentina |
1999 | 2003 |
| Thomas Forster |  United Kingdom |
2007 | 2020 |
| Catherine Hurlin | United States |
2014 | 2022 |
| Gillian Murphy | United States |
1996 | 2002 |
| Calvin Royal III | United States |
2011 | 2017 |
| Hee Seo | South Korea |
2006 | 2012 |
| Christine Shevchenko |  Ukraine |
2008 | 2017 |
| Cory Stearns | United States |
2006 | 2011 |
| Devon Teuscher | United States |
2008 | 2017 |
| Cassandra Trenary | United States |
2011 | 2020 |
| James B. Whiteside | United States |
2012 | 2013 |
| Roman Zhurbin |  Russia |
2005 | 2022 |
Current Soloists
| Name | Nationality | Joined ABT | Promoted to Soloist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jarod Curley | United States |
2018 | 2024 |
| Zhong-Jing Fang |  China |
2004 | 2018 |
| Carlos Gonzalez |  Spain |
2016 | 2024 |
| Breanne Granlund | United States |
2016 | 2022 |
| Sung Woo Han | South Korea |
2013 | 2022 |
| Blaine Hoven | United States |
2004 | 2016 |
| Betsy McBride | United States |
2015 | 2022 |
| Chloe Misseldine | United States |
2021 | 2022 |
| Luciana Paris | Argentina |
2001 | 2015 |
| SunMi Park | South Korea |
2022 | 2022 |
| Jake Roxander | United States |
2022 | 2024 |
| Katherine Williams | United States |
2008 | 2018 |
Famous Ballets and Performances
Many famous choreographers have created works for ABT. Antony Tudor, a great British choreographer, first performed in America with this company. Agnes de Mille also staged most of her ballets with ABT.
Other well-known choreographers who have worked with ABT include George Balanchine, Michel Fokine, and Léonide Massine. Later, artists like Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and Alvin Ailey also created dances for the company.
In 1976, ABT's performance of The Nutcracker became very famous. It starred Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland. This show was shown on TV the next year and is still a holiday classic.
ABT's main season is in the spring at the Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center) in New York City. Shorter seasons are held in the fall at the David H. Koch Theater. During the holiday season, you can see Alexei Ratmansky's The Nutcracker at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The company also travels a lot, performing across the United States and around the world.
Schools and Programs
ABT offers special programs to train young dancers.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School (ABT/JKO School) is the official school of American Ballet Theatre. It is located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan, New York City. The school has different divisions for different ages. The Children's Division is for ages 4 to 12. The Pre-Professional Division is for ages 12 to 18. There is also the Studio Company, a special program for dancers aged 16 to 20. Cynthia Harvey, a former ABT dancer, is the artistic director of the school.
Studio Company
The ABT Studio Company is a small group of 12 talented young dancers. They are usually between 16 and 20 years old. These dancers are chosen by ABT. It is the highest level of training at American Ballet Theatre. The program helps these dancers get ready to join ABT's main company or other professional ballet companies. ABT describes it as "a bridge between ballet training and professional performance."
Project Plié
Project Plié is a special program started in 2013. It aims to make ballet more diverse. The goal is to have more dancers of different backgrounds in ballet companies. This program was inspired by ABT principal dancer Misty Copeland. It works with communities and other ballet groups. It also offers scholarships and chances for young dancers of color to experience ballet. Since 2013, Project Plié has given scholarships to young people aged 9 to 18. These scholarships help them attend the ABT/JKO School and ABT's summer programs.
See Also
In Spanish: American Ballet Theatre para niños
- A Dancer's Life, a 1972 documentary film about the company
- List of productions of Swan Lake derived from its 1895 revival
