American Ballet Theatre

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox ballet company American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is a classical ballet company based in New York City. Founded in 1939<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> by Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant. 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

In 1939 Pleasant and Chase committed to the creation of "a large scale company with an eclectic repertory".<ref name="Brit" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The pair and a small group from Mordkin Ballet formed Ballet Theatre. Their new company's first performance was on 11 January 1940.<ref name="Brit" /><ref name=Eisenstadt /> 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.<ref>Horst Koegler, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Ballet (1977), p. 15.</ref> 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.<ref name=Eisenstadt>Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref>In 2016, Kara Medoff Barnett was appointed as the Executive Director of American Ballet Theatre.Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

McKenzie stepped down from the company in late 2022, as announced in 2021.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Susan Jaffe took over the company at the end of 2022.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Ratmansky departed the troupe in June 2023.<ref name=Bilefsky/>

Artistic staff

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 director and CEO

• Rachel S. Moore Executive director (2003–2011) CEO (2011–2016)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Executive director

• Kara Medoff Barnett (2016–2021)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Janet Rollé (2021–2023)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Barry Hughson (2024–present)<ref name="Hernández">Template:Cite news</ref>

Resident choreographers

• Antony Tudor (1940–1950)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Alexei Ratmansky (2009–2023)<ref name=Bilefsky>Template:Cite news</ref>

Music directors, conductors, concertmasters (partial list)

• Joseph Levine, (1911–1994) (conductor and musical director) (1950–1958) <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Ormsby Wilkins (music director) (current)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Charles Barker (principal conductor) (current)<ref name=staff>Template:Cite web</ref>
• David LaMarche (conductor) (current)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Benjamin Bowman (concertmaster) (current)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Dancers

American Ballet Theatre has four levels within the company. They are (in ascending order): apprentice,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> corps de ballet,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> soloist,<ref name="Soloists">Template:Cite web</ref> and principal.<ref name="Principals">Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Category see also

Principals

Hee Seo and Jared Matthews (2014)

Name	Nationality	Training	Joined ABT	Promoted to Principal	Other companies (incl. guest performances)
Joo Won Ahn	Template:Flag	Y.J. Ballet People Academy Sun Hwa Art School Korea National University of Arts	2014	2020
Aran Bell	Template:Flag	Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet	2017	2020
Isabella Boylston		Academy of Colorado Ballet Harid Conservatory ABT Studio Company	2007	2014	Paris Opera Ballet Mariinsky Ballet Rome Opera Ballet Ballet Estable del Teatro Colón Royal Danish Ballet
Skylar Brandt		Scarsdale Ballet Studio ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School ABT II (now the ABT Studio Company)	2011	2020
Daniel Camargo	Template:Flag	John Cranko School	2022	N/A Joined as Principal	Stuttgart Ballet Dutch National Ballet
Misty Copeland	Template:Flag	San Pedro City Ballet Lauridsen Ballet Center San Francisco Ballet School ABT Studio Company	2001	2015
Herman Cornejo	Template:Flag	Instituto Superior de Arte at Teatro Colón School of American Ballet	1999	2003	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
Thomas Forster	Template:Flag	Royal Ballet School Associate Programme Elmhurst School of Dance Royal Ballet School ABT Studio Company	2007	2020
Isaac Hernández	Template:Flag	The Rock School for Dance Education ABT Studio Company	2025	N/A Joined as Principal	San Francisco Ballet Dutch National Ballet English National Ballet
Catherine Hurlin	Template:Flag	Scarsdale Ballet Studio Westchester Dance Academy Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School ABT Studio Company	2014	2022
Chloe Misseldine		Orlando Ballet School ABT Studio Company	2021	2024<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Gillian Murphy		University of North Carolina School of the Arts Columbia City Ballet	1996	2002	Kyiv Ballet Mariinsky Ballet Royal New Zealand Ballet Royal Swedish Ballet Staatsballett Berlin
Calvin Royal III		Pinellas County Center for the Arts Academy of Ballet Arts Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School ABT II	2011	2017
Hee Seo	Template:Flag	Sun-hwa Arts Middle School Universal Ballet Academy John Cranko School ABT Studio Company	2006	2012	Mariinsky Ballet
Christine Shevchenko	Template:Flag	The Rock School for Dance Education ABT Studio Company	2008	2017
Cory Stearns	Template:Flag	Seiskaya Ballet School Royal Ballet School ABT Studio Company	2006	2011	The Royal Ballet
Devon Teuscher		Champaign-Urbana Ballet Academy Vermont Ballet Theatre School Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School ABT Studio Company	2008	2017
Cassandra Trenary		Lawrenceville School of Ballet ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School ABT II (now the ABT Studio Company)	2011	2020
James B. Whiteside		D'Valda and Sirico Dance and Music Centre Virginia School of the Arts Boston Ballet II	2012	2013	Boston Ballet Ballet Philippines
Roman Zhurbin	Template:Flag	LaGuardia High School Studio Maestro ABT Studio Company	2005	2022

Soloists

Template:Category see also <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Name	Nationality	Training	Joined ABT	Promoted to Soloist	Other companies (incl. guest performances)
Sierra Armstrong	Template:Flag	UNSCA ABT JKO School	2016	2025
Jarod Curley	Template:Flag	Frederick School of Classical Ballet Next Generation Ballet John Cranko School	2018	2024
Zhong-Jing Fang	Template:Flag	Shanghai Ballet School Shanghai Drama University	2004	2018
Lea Fleytoux	Template:Flag	Conservatoire Municipal Camille Saint-Saens Ecole National Danse Marseille ABT JKO School	2018	2024<ref name="auto">Template:Cite web</ref>
Patrick Frenette	Template:Flag	Goh Ballet Academy School of American Ballet	2013
Carlos Gonzalez	Template:Flag	El Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Fortea El Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Mariemma	2016
Breanne Granlund	Template:Flag	Ballet Academy of Texas ABT Studio Company		2022
Sung Woo Han	Template:Flag	Sun-hwa Arts Middle School Royal Ballet School	2013
Fangqi Li	Template:Flag	Beijing Dance Academy The National Ballet of China ABT Studio Company	2018	2024<ref name="auto"/>
Betsy McBride	Template:Flag	Ballet Academy of Texas Texas Ballet Theater School	2015	2022	Texas Ballet Theater
Takumi Miyake	Template:Flag	Royal Ballet School	2021	2025
SunMi Park	Template:Flag	Sun-hwa Middle and High School of the Arts Korea National Institute of Gifted Arts ABT Studio Company	2022
Jake Roxander	Template:Flag	Studio Roxander Pennsylvania Ballet II ABT Studio Company	2024
Jose Sebastian	Template:Flag	School of American Ballet ABT Studio Company	2006	2025<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Former dancers

The following is a partial list of former dancers with ABT, listed by their highest rank prior to leaving the company.

Former principal dancersTemplate:Anchor

• Stella Abrera (1996–2020)
• Ivan Allen (1950s–1960s)
• Alicia Alonso (1943–1948)
• Nina Ananiashvili (1993–2009)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Victor Barbee (1975–2003)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Mikhail Baryshnikov (1974–1978)
• Patrick Bissell (1977–1987)
• Julio Bocca (1986–2006)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Karena Brock (1973–?)
• Leslie Browne (1976–1993)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Erik Bruhn (1949–1958, 1961–1972)
• Fernando Bujones (1972–85, 1990s)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Maxim Beloserkovsky (1994-2012)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• José Manuel Carreño (1995–2011)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Lucia Chase (1940–1960)
• Ángel Corella (1996–2012)
• Eleonor D'Antuono (1961–1981)
• Anton Dolin (1940–1946)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Irina Dvorovenko (1996–2013)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Royes Fernandez (1957–1972)
• Alessandra Ferri (1985–2007)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Carla Fracci (1967–?)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Alexander Godunov (1979–1982)
• Guillaume Graffin (1988–2005)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Cynthia Gregory (1965–1991)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Cynthia Harvey (1974–1986, 1988–1996)<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Susan Jaffe (1980–2002)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Julie Kent (1993–2015)
• Gelsey Kirkland (1974–1984)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Ruth Ann Koesun (1946–1969)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• John Kriza (1940–1966)
• Robert La Fosse (1977–1986)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Harold Lang (1943–1945)
• Annabelle Lyon (1939–1943)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Natalia Makarova (1970–1986)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Vladimir Malakhov (1995–2008)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Alicia Markova (1941–1946)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Bruce Marks (1961–1968)
• Kevin McKenzie (1979–1991)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Amanda McKerrow (1982–2005)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Kathleen Moore (1982–2006)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Veronika Part (2002–2017)<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
• Kirk Peterson (1974–1980)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Danilo Radojevic (1978–1993)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Johan Renvall (1978–1996)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Keith Roberts (1987–1999)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Ethan Stiefel (1997–2012)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
• Marianna Tcherkassky (1970–1996)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Ashley Tuttle (1987–2004)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Martine van Hamel (1970–1992)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Edward Verso (1962–1968)
• Michele Wiles (1998–2011)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Diana Vishneva (2005–2017)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Marcelo Gomes (1997–2018)
• Roberto Bolle (2009–2019)
• Sarah Lane (2004–2020)

Former soloistsTemplate:Anchor

• Kristi Boone (2000–2014)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Ethan Brown (1981–2004)<ref>

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• Gabrielle Brown (1980–1996)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Sandra Brown (1987–2003)<ref>

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• Tener Brown (1979–1986)<ref>

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• Carmen Corella (1998–2007)<ref>

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• Erica Cornejo (1998–2007)<ref>

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• Royes Fernandez (1950–1953)
• George de la Peña (1970s–1985)<ref>

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• Joaquín De Luz (1997–2003)<ref>

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• Lisa de Ribere (1979–1984)<ref>

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• Melissa Hayden (1945–1947)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Yuriko Kajiya (2002–2014)<ref name="Houston Ballet">Template:Cite web</ref>
• Elaine Kudo<ref name=Khadarina>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Anna Liceica (1996–2007)<ref>

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• Carlos Lopez (2001–2011)<ref>

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• Charles Maple (1972–1983)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Jared Matthews (2002–2014)<ref name="Houston Ballet"/>
• Simone Messmer (2002–2013)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Monique Meunier (2002–2007)<ref>

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• Carlos Molina (1998–2007)<ref>

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• Sascha Radetsky (1995–2014)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Amy Rose (1979–1992)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Gennadi Saveliev (1996–2012)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Former corps de balletTemplate:Anchor

• Maria Bystrova (2000–2010)<ref>

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• Caroline Duprot (2009–2011)<ref>

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• Tobin Eason (2002–2012)<ref>Template:Cite web Alt URL Template:Webarchive</ref>
• Aino Ettala (2010)<ref>

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• Jeffrey Golladay (2003–2012)
• Melanie Hamrick (2004–2019)
• Meaghan Hinkis (2010–2011)<ref>

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• Carrie Jensen (2000–2009)<ref>

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• Clinton Luckett (1992–2002)<ref>

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• Joseph Phillips (2008–2013)<ref>

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• Brendali Staana Espiritu<ref>Faculty Template:Webarchive, American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School at Segerstrom Center for the Arts</ref>
• Isaac Stappas (2000–2011)<ref>

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• Sarawanee Tanatanit (2002–2008)<ref>

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• Mary Mills Thomas (2008–2011)<ref>

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• Melissa Thomas (2002–2009)<ref>

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• Katharine Wildish (1985–1987)
• Bo Busby<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Repertoire

Template:Main article Template:CSS image crop 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.

ABT's 1976 production of The Nutcracker starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland was televised the following year and has become a broadcast classic.Template:Citation needed

The main season is held during the spring at New York City's Metropolitan Opera House, with shorter seasons in the fall previously held at New York City Center, now held at the David H. Koch Theater. Performances of Alexei Ratmansky's The Nutcracker during the holiday season are held at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The company tours extensively throughout United States and the world.<ref>"American Ballet Theatre: Touring the Globe for 75 Years" Template:Webarchive, Library of Congress</ref>

Schools and programs

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> It is the top level of the American Ballet Theatre training ladder and is currently an extension of the ABT JKO school.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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".<ref name=":0" />

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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".<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=":1" /> Annually, as of 2013, Project Plié has awarded scholarships<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=":1" />

See also

• A Dancer's Life, a 1972 documentary film about the company
• List of productions of Swan Lake derived from its 1895 revival

References

Notes Template:Reflist Further viewing

• Template:Cite AV media

External links

• Template:Official website
• American Ballet Theatre entry in the Encyclopædia Britannica
• American Ballet Theatre entry in the Columbia Encyclopedia
• Archive footage of ABT (then Ballet Theatre) performing Interplay in 1949 at Jacob's Pillow
• Archive footage of ABT (then Ballet Theatre) performing Fancy Free in 1949 at Jacob's Pillow
• American Ballet Theatre at Google Cultural Institute
• Ballet Foundation collection of Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and Ballet Theatre photographs, 1920s-1980s, held by the Dance Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.