Milwaukee Ballet

Milwaukee Ballet is a professional ballet company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, founded in 1969 by Louise Allyn, Ted Harris, and Peggy Creighton. The company has performed at various venues, including the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts and the Pabst Theater, and has collaborated with renowned companies such as the American Ballet Theatre and the Joffrey Ballet. The company's repertoire includes works by famous choreographers like George Balanchine and Twyla Tharp, and has featured dancers from esteemed schools like the School of American Ballet and the Royal Academy of Dance. The company has also worked with notable conductors, including André Previn and Leonard Bernstein, and has performed to the music of famous composers like Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Sergei Prokofiev.

● History

The company's history began with its founding in 1969 by Louise Allyn, Ted Harris, and Peggy Creighton, with the goal of bringing professional ballet to the city of Milwaukee. The company's early years were marked by performances of classic ballets like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. The company has also performed at various festivals, including the Milwaukee Festival and the Wisconsin Arts Festival, and has collaborated with other local arts organizations, such as the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Florentine Opera. The company has been recognized for its contributions to the arts, receiving awards from organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wisconsin Arts Board. The company has also been supported by local businesses, including Miller Brewing Company and Kohler Company, and has received funding from foundations like the Bradley Foundation and the Helen Bader Foundation.

● Artistic Directors

The company has had several artistic directors throughout its history, including Ted Harris, Jean-Paul Comelin, and Michael Pink. Each director has brought their own unique vision to the company, with Michael Pink introducing new works by choreographers like William Forsythe and Jiří Kylián. The company has also hosted guest artists, including Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland, and has performed at international festivals like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Venice Biennale. The company's artistic directors have been recognized for their contributions to the field, receiving awards from organizations like the Dance/USA and the National Dance Education Organization. The company has also been influenced by the work of other notable artistic directors, including George Balanchine of the New York City Ballet and Robert Joffrey of the Joffrey Ballet.

● Company Structure

The company is composed of a diverse group of dancers, including principal dancers, soloists, and corps de ballet members. The company also has a strong administrative team, including an executive director and a board of directors, which includes members like Herb Kohler and Betty Quadracci. The company is supported by a variety of local organizations, including the United Performing Arts Fund and the Milwaukee Arts Board, and has received funding from government agencies like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wisconsin Arts Board. The company has also partnered with local schools, including the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and the Milwaukee School of Engineering, to provide educational programs and outreach services. The company's structure is similar to that of other professional ballet companies, including the American Ballet Theatre and the San Francisco Ballet.

● Performances and Repertoire

The company's repertoire includes a wide range of ballets, from classic works like Giselle and Romeo and Juliet to contemporary pieces by choreographers like Mark Morris and Paul Taylor. The company has also performed at various venues, including the Kennedy Center and the Lincoln Center, and has toured internationally to countries like Canada and Mexico. The company's performances have been accompanied by orchestras like the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and have featured conductors like André Previn and Leonard Bernstein. The company has also collaborated with other arts organizations, including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Pilobolus Dance Theater, to create new and innovative works. The company's repertoire is similar to that of other professional ballet companies, including the New York City Ballet and the Royal Ballet.

● Community Engagement

The company is committed to community engagement and outreach, with programs like the Milwaukee Ballet II and the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center's Ballet in the Park series. The company has also partnered with local organizations, including the United Way and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, to provide dance classes and workshops to underserved communities. The company has also collaborated with other local arts organizations, including the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the First Stage Children's Theater, to create new and innovative works. The company's community engagement programs have been recognized for their excellence, receiving awards from organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wisconsin Arts Board. The company has also been supported by local businesses, including Miller Brewing Company and Kohler Company, and has received funding from foundations like the Bradley Foundation and the Helen Bader Foundation.

● Education and Training

The company offers a variety of educational programs, including the Milwaukee Ballet School and the Summer Intensive program. The company's school is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance and offers classes in ballet, modern, and jazz. The company has also partnered with local schools, including the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and the Milwaukee School of Engineering, to provide dance classes and workshops to students. The company's education and training programs have been recognized for their excellence, receiving awards from organizations like the National Dance Education Organization and the Dance/USA. The company has also been influenced by the work of other notable dance schools, including the School of American Ballet and the Royal Academy of Dance. The company's education and training programs are similar to those of other professional ballet companies, including the American Ballet Theatre and the San Francisco Ballet. Category:Ballet companies in the United States