Boston Ballet

Boston Ballet is one of the largest and most respected ballet companies in North America, founded in 1963 by E. Virginia Williams with the help of Sylvia Stout. The company has performed at various venues, including the Boston Opera House and the Wang Theatre, and has collaborated with renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp. Over the years, the company has also worked with notable dancers like Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gelsey Kirkland, and Suzanne Farrell. The company's repertoire includes a wide range of classical and contemporary works, including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty, as well as pieces by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, and Helen Pickett.

● History

The company's early years were marked by performances at the Boston University Playhouse Theatre and the Colonial Theatre (Boston), with a focus on classical ballets like Giselle and Coppélia. In the 1970s, the company began to expand its repertoire to include more contemporary works, such as those by Alvin Ailey and Pina Bausch. The company has also performed at various festivals, including the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and the Tanglewood Music Festival, and has toured internationally to countries like Canada, Mexico, and Japan. The company has also collaborated with other dance companies, such as the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre, and has worked with notable conductors like Seiji Ozawa and Keith Lockhart.

● Artistic Directors

The company has had several artistic directors throughout its history, including Violette Verdy, Bruce Marks, and Anna-Marie Holmes. The current artistic director is Mikko Nissinen, who has been leading the company since 2001 and has worked with choreographers like Jorma Elo and Paul Taylor. Nissinen has also overseen the development of new works, including pieces by Lar Lubovitch and Mark Morris. Other notable artistic directors have included Sylvia Stout and Arthur F. Whitelaw, who have both made significant contributions to the company's growth and development. The company has also worked with guest artistic directors, such as John Taras and Daniel Pelzig.

● Company Structure

The company is composed of a diverse group of dancers from around the world, including Australia, Brazil, and China. The company is divided into several tiers, including the main company, the Boston Ballet II, and the Boston Ballet School. The company also has a strong corps de ballet, which has included dancers like Heather Myers and Kathleen Breen Combes. The company's administrative staff includes a team of experienced professionals, including the executive director, Max Hodges, and the director of marketing, Jennifer Tefft. The company also has a board of trustees, which includes notable figures like Robert Epstein and Susan Paine.

● Repertoire

The company's repertoire includes a wide range of classical and contemporary works, including The Firebird, Romeo and Juliet, and The Four Seasons. The company has also performed pieces by Leonard Bernstein, Igor Stravinsky, and Sergei Prokofiev. In recent years, the company has premiered new works by Justin Peck and Yuri Possokhov, and has restaged classic ballets like La Sylphide and The Merry Widow. The company has also collaborated with other artists, such as Isaac Mizrahi and Santino Fontana, on productions like The Blue Danube and A Midsummer Night's Dream. The company's repertoire also includes works by Felix Mendelssohn, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Ludwig van Beethoven.

● Education and Community Outreach

The company has a strong commitment to education and community outreach, with programs like the Boston Ballet School and the Citydance program. The company also offers classes and workshops for adults and children, including those with disabilities, through its Adaptive Dance program. The company has also partnered with local organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston and the Boston Public Library, to provide dance education and outreach programs to underserved communities. The company has also worked with other dance companies, such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Martha Graham Dance Company, on education and outreach initiatives. The company's education programs are led by Margaret Tracey, who has developed programs like Dance Lab and Ballet 101.

● Performances and Tours

The company performs regularly at the Boston Opera House and the Wang Theatre, and has toured internationally to countries like Spain, Italy, and South Korea. The company has also performed at various festivals, including the Spoleto Festival USA and the Vail International Dance Festival. The company has collaborated with other companies, such as the Royal Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet, on co-productions like Manon and Don Quixote. The company's performances are accompanied by the Boston Ballet Orchestra, which is led by Missoni and has included musicians like Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman. The company has also worked with notable stage designers, such as David Walker and Robert Perdziola, on productions like The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. The company's tours are managed by International Arts Management, which has also worked with companies like the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre.