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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American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is a famous classical ballet company. It is based in New York City, USA. Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant started ABT in 1939.
For many years, ABT had a long season at the Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center) each spring. They also had a shorter season at the David H. Koch Theater in the fall. The rest of the year, the company travels and performs all over the world. ABT is also connected to the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. In 2006, the United States Congress officially called ABT "America's National Ballet Company."
Contents
The Story of ABT
How ABT Started
In 1939, Richard Pleasant and Lucia Chase wanted to create a big ballet company. They wanted it to perform many different kinds of ballets. They formed a group called Ballet Theatre. Their first show was on January 11, 1940. Lucia Chase worked hard to build the company's collection of ballets. This included both classic ballets and new ones. The company often faced money problems in the early years. In 1945, Oliver Smith joined and became a co-director with Chase.
Growing and Changing
In 1957, the company changed its name to American Ballet Theatre. They continued to focus on classic ballets. Money issues were still a challenge for them. In the 1960s and 1970s, things got better. More people and groups started giving money to the company. During this time, ABT also started to focus on having famous dancers. In 1977, the Metropolitan Opera House became their main performance home.
New Leaders and Schools
In 1980, Mikhail Baryshnikov became the artistic director of ABT. He helped make many classic ballets even better. He also made the company's classical style 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 audiences who loved traditional ballet. He also helped the company through tough financial times. In 2004, he started an official ballet school for ABT. This school is called the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. In 2009, McKenzie brought in Alexei Ratmansky as an "Artist in Residence." This was important because the company had not had an in-house choreographer for a long time.
McKenzie left the company in late 2022. Susan Jaffe became the new artistic director at the end of 2022. Ratmansky left the company in June 2023.
People Who Lead ABT
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)
Dancers of ABT
American Ballet Theatre has four levels for its dancers. They are, from newest to most experienced: apprentice, corps de ballet, soloist, and principal.
Principal Dancers
Principal dancers are the top performers in the company. They often dance the main roles in ballets.
| 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 |
| Isaac Hernández |  Mexico |
2025 | Joined as Principal |
| Catherine Hurlin | United States |
2014 | 2022 |
| Chloe Misseldine | United States |
2021 | 2024 |
| 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 |
Soloists
Soloists are important dancers who often perform special parts in ballets.
| Name | Nationality | Joined ABT | Promoted to Soloist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Armstrong | United States |
2016 | 2025 |
| Jarod Curley | United States |
2018 | 2024 |
| Zhong-Jing Fang |  China |
2004 | 2018 |
| Lea Fleytoux |  France |
2018 | 2024 |
| Patrick Frenette |  Canada |
2013 | 2022 |
| Carlos Gonzalez |  Spain |
2016 | 2022 |
| Breanne Granlund | United States |
2016 | 2022 |
| Sung Woo Han | South Korea |
2013 | 2022 |
| Fangqi Li | China |
2018 | 2024 |
| Betsy McBride | United States |
2015 | 2022 |
| Takumi Miyake |  Japan |
2021 | 2025 |
| SunMi Park | South Korea |
2022 | 2024 |
| Jake Roxander | United States |
2024 | 2025 |
| Jose Sebastian | United States |
2006 | 2025 |
Ballets Performed by ABT
Many famous choreographers have created ballets for ABT. Antony Tudor, a great British choreographer, first performed in America with ABT. Agnes de Mille also created many of her ballets with the company. Other well-known choreographers who have worked with ABT include George Balanchine, Michel Fokine, and Jerome Robbins.
ABT's 1976 show of The Nutcracker was very popular. It starred Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland. This performance was shown on TV the next year and is still a classic.
ABT's main season is in the spring at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. They also have shorter seasons in the fall at the David H. Koch Theater. During the holidays, they perform 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.
ABT's Schools and Programs
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School (ABT/JKO School) is ABT's official ballet school. It is located in New York City. The school has different programs for different ages. There's a Children's Division 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 ABT's school. 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 from different backgrounds in ballet companies. This program was inspired by ABT principal dancer Misty Copeland. Project Plié 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.
Images for kids
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American Ballet Theatre logo
See also
In Spanish: American Ballet Theatre para niños
