American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is a classical ballet company based in New York City. Founded in 1939[2] by Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant, it is recognized as one of the world's leading classical ballet companies. Through 2019, it had an annual eight-week season at the Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center) in the spring and a shorter season at the David H. Koch Theater in the fall; the company tours around the world the rest of the year. The company was scheduled to have a 5-week spring season at the MET preceded by a 2-week season at the Koch Theater beginning in 2020. ABT is the parent company of the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, and was recognized as "America's National Ballet Company" in 2006 by the United States Congress.[3][4]
History
In 1939 Pleasant and Chase committed to the creation of "a large scale company with an eclectic repertory".[1][5] The pair and a small group from Mordkin Ballet formed Ballet Theatre. Their new company's first performance was on 11 January 1940.[1][6] Chase began developing the company's repertoire of well-known full-length ballets, as well as original works, amidst financial issues. In 1945 Oliver Smith joined Ballet Theatre and became co-director with Chase.
In 1957 the company changed its name to American Ballet Theatre.[7] It continued to emphasize ballet classics, yet remained challenged by financial issues. During the 1960s and 1970s, the company's prospects brightened due to more favorable private funding. During this period, American Ballet Theatre shifted its ballet focus to the recruitment of star performers. In 1977, the company began its spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House, its new official venue.[6]
Mikhail Baryshnikov in 1980 became artistic director for American Ballet Theatre. Baryshnikov staged, restaged, and refurbished numerous classical ballets and, according to the company, strengthened their classical tradition. Baryshnikov was replaced in 1989 by Jane Hermann and Oliver Smith, who remained as artistic directors until 1992, when Kevin McKenzie received the appointment. McKenzie satisfied the demands of the traditional ballet audience by prioritizing full-length narrative ballets. He also succeeded in keeping the company afloat during financially unstable times. In 2004 he established an official associate ballet school, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. After a long period of no in-house choreographer, McKenzie appointed Alexei Ratmansky as "Artist in Residence" in January 2009.[8][9]
McKenzie stepped down from the company in late 2022, as announced in 2021.[10]Susan Jaffe was appointed was announced as McKenzie's successor, and took over the company at the end of 2022.[11] Ratmansky departed the troupe in June 2023.[12]
Ballet del Teatro Argentino de La Plata Ballet Argentino Barcelona Ballet (former Corella Ballet Castilla y León) Compañia de Danza Comtemporánea de Cuba Boston Ballet New York City Ballet Sapporo Ballet
Perhaps no other choreographer was as closely associated with ABT as the great British choreographer Antony Tudor, who made his American debut with the company. The other continuous creative force was the legendary Agnes de Mille. She staged the majority of her ballet works with them. Many choreographers have mounted works especially for ABT, including George Balanchine, Adolph Bolm, Michel Fokine, Léonide Massine, and Bronislava Nijinska. Other renowned choreographers who have worked at ABT include Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and Alvin Ailey.
The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre (ABT/JKO School) is the associate school of American Ballet Theatre located within the Flatiron District of Manhattan, New York City. The school comprises a Children's Division for ages 4 to 12, a Pre-Professional Division for ages 12 to 18, and the preparatory program Studio Company for ages 16 to 20. Cynthia Harvey, a former dancer with ABT, serves as the school's artistic director.[104]
Studio Company
ABT Studio Company, formerly known as ABT II, is a small company of 12 young dancers, ranging from ages 16 to 20, handpicked by ABT.[105] It is the top level of the American Ballet Theatre training ladder and is currently an extension of the ABT JKO school.[106] These dancers are trained in the program to join ABT's main company or other leading professional companies, and the program is described by ABT as "a bridge between ballet training and professional performance".[105]
Project Plié
Project Plié is a diversity initiative launched in 2013 by Rachel Moore, who was then ABT's executive director and CEO. Following her departure, the project was overseen by artistic director Kevin McKenzie and Mary Jo Ziesel, ABT director of education and training.[107] The program was inspired by ABT principal dancer Misty Copeland, and aims to "increase racial and ethnic representation in ballet and diversify America's ballet companies".[108] The initiative is made up of a combination of partnerships within the community and within the industry in addition to scholarships and opportunities for exposure for children of color.[108] Annually, as of 2013, Project Plié has awarded scholarships[109] to young people ranging from ages 9 to 18 including to the ABT/JKO School, ABT's summer intensive programs and ABT's Young Dancer Workshop.[108]
^American Ballet Theatre (May 25, 2006). "Company History". Ballet Theatre Foundation, Inc. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
^ abPeter R. Eisenstadt; Laura-Eve Moss, eds. (2005). "ballet". The Encyclopedia of New York State. Syracuse University Press. p. 146. ISBN9780815608080.
^Horst Koegler, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Ballet (1977), p. 15.
^"Dancers: Principals: Victor Barbee". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on April 9, 2003. Retrieved February 16, 2012. joined ABT in February 1975, was promoted to soloist in 1979, and to principal dancer in 1984
^"Summer Intensives Faculty: Leslie Browne". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012. joined ABT as a soloist in 1976, was promoted to principal dancer in 1986
^"choreographers: Anton Dolin". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined Ballet Theatre (now ABT) at its inception in 1940, remaining until 1946 as a dancer and choreographer
^"Choreographers: Cynthia Gregory". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012. joined the ABT in 1965, was quickly promoted to a principal dancer
^Debra Craine and Judit Mackrell (January 1, 2000). "Harvey, Cynthia". The Oxford Dictionary of Dance. Retrieved February 11, 2012.[dead link]
^"Susan Jaffe Named Ballet Mistress With American Ballet Theatre". Press Release. American Ballet Theatre. June 11, 2010. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined ABT in December 1980, became a soloist in 1981, was promoted to principal dancer in 1983, retired from American Ballet Theatre in 2002
^"Robert La Fosse". Barnard College Department of Dance. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined American Ballet Theatre in 1977, where he danced as a principal dancer for nine years
^"Choreographers: Kevin McKenzie". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined ABT as a soloist in March 1979, was appointed a principal dancer the following December, and danced with the company until 1991
^"Dancers: Principals: Amanda McKerrow". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on May 27, 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet in 1982, was appointed a soloist in 1983, and a principal dancer in 1987
^"Danilo Radojevic, Associate Artistic Director". The Australian Ballet. Archived from the original on March 15, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012. left The Australian Ballet to become a Soloist with ABT, with the company for 15 years, was promoted to principal dancer in 1981
^"Johan Renvall". Ballet Arts. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined ABT in 1978, was promoted to soloist in 1981, and to principal dancer in 1987, retired in 1996
^"Alumni: Keith Roberts". UNCSA School of Dance. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012. joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet in 1987, was appointed soloist in 1992, and principal dancer in 1997
^"Dancers: Principals: Ashley Tuttle". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on August 15, 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined the corps de ballet of ABT in 1987, was promoted to soloist in 1992, and to principal dancer in 1997
^"Dancers: Principals: Michele Wiles". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012. joined ABT in 1998, was promoted to soloist in 2000, and to principal dancer in 2005
^"Dancers: Soloists: Ethan Brown". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on February 11, 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet in 1981, was promoted to soloist in 1988
^
David Vaughan (July 6, 2004). "Ethan Brown's Retirement". danceviewtimes.com. Retrieved February 11, 2012. July 2 & 3, 2004
^"Summer Intensives Faculty: Leslie Browne". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012. joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet in 1980, achieved rank of soloist in 1991, retired in 1996
^"Dancers: Soloists: Sandra Brown". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on March 13, 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joining the corps de ballet of American Ballet Theatre in 1987, was promoted to soloist in 1992
^"Sandra Brown". Colorado Ballet. Retrieved February 11, 2012. In 2003 she left ABT to pursue work as a freelance artist
^"Faculty: Carolyn Tener Brown". New Jersey School of Ballet. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012. was a soloist with American Ballet Theatre for 7 years
^"Dancers: Soloists: Carmen Corella". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on July 30, 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet in April 1998, was appointed a soloist in August 2003
^"Dancers: Soloists: Erica Cornejo". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on August 4, 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined ABT's Studio Company in May 1998, later that year joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet, was appointed a soloist in April 2003
^"Dancers: Soloists: Joaquín De Luz". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on June 26, 2003. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet in 1997, was promoted to soloist in 1998
^"Lisa de Ribere". The School of American Ballet. Archived from the original on December 10, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined ABT in 1979 ... soloist ... retired from performing in 1984
^ ab"Houston Ballet Announces New First Soloists, Jared Matthews and Yuriko Kajiya". Houston Ballet. May 7, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014. Jared Matthews and Yuriko Kajiya, currently soloist dancers with American Ballet Theatre (ABT), will join Houston Ballet as first soloists for the 2014/15 season beginning in August 2014
^"Dancers: Soloists: Anna Liceica". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on September 3, 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joined ABT's corps de ballet in 1996, was promoted to soloist in August 2000
^"Dancers: Soloists: Carlos Lopez". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012. joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet in September 2001, was appointed a soloist in August 2003
^"Staff: Charles Maple, Conservatory Director". Maple Conservatory. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012. at the age of nineteen he joined ABT, rose through the ranks to become a featured soloist
^"Dancers: Soloists: Carlos Molina". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on May 25, 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012. joining ABT as a member of the corps de ballet in 1998, was appointed a soloist in August 2001
^"ABT: Inside ABT". American Ballet Theatre. April 24, 2014. Archived from the original on June 26, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014. will give his farewell performance with the Company on July 3 at the Metropolitan Opera House in the role of Franz in Coppélia
^"Amy Rose". American Ballet Intensives. Retrieved February 16, 2012. joined ABT at the age of sixteen (in 1979), was a soloist with from 1979–1992
^"Dancers: Corps De Ballet: Maria Bystrova". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2012. joined ABT's Studio Company (now ABT II) in August 1999, joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet in August 2000
^"The Artist". Tobin Eason. Archived from the original on December 23, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2013. Creating artwork soon become a passion, which has continued since his retirement from American Ballet Theatre in 2012Alt URL
^"Dancers: Corps De Ballet: Meaghan Hinkis". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on December 13, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2012. joined ABT as an apprentice in March 2010, became a member of the corps de ballet in October 2010
^"Dancers: Corps De Ballet: Isaac Stappas". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012. spent two years in ABT's Studio Company before joining ABT's main company in 2000
^"Dancers: Corps De Ballet: Sarawanee Tanatanit". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2012. joined ABT's Studio Company in 2001, joined ABT as an apprentice in August 2002, and the corps de ballet in January 2003
^"Dancers: Corps De Ballet: Mary Mills Thomas". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on December 13, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2012. joined ABT's Studio Company (now ABT II) in Fall 2005, joined ABT as an apprentice in August 2007, and the corps de ballet in January 2008
^"Dancers: Corps De Ballet: Melissa Thomas". American Ballet Theatre. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2012. joined ABT's Studio Company in Fall 2001, joined ABT as a member of the corps de ballet in August 2002
