How old is american ballet theatre

The artistic staff of the ABT chooses the 13 dancers for this classical company. In this article, we'll look at the American Ballet Theatre's origins and history, learn about its tough training program for the nation's best young dancers, and see how you can get involved through its membership program.

The storied and sometimes stormy history of the American Ballet Theatre began as the Great Depression was ending. In , co-founder Lucia Chase and set designer Oliver Smith changed the name to Ballet Theatre and reorganized the company.

Their goal: to develop a repertoire of classical ballets and also to encourage young choreographers to create new works. In , the company changed its name to American Ballet Theatre. The move north to the Metropolitan Opera House followed soon after.

Chase and Smith put their stamp on the ABT by remaining at the helm as artistic directors from to During these four decades, the ABT defined American dance, staging works by the 20th century's foremost choreographers, among them Twyla Tharp and Antony Tudor.

Groundbreaking works included "Push Comes to Shove" and "Duets. During his tenure, Baryshnikov worked to redefine the company's classical repertoire, reworking and restaging the classics. When Baryshnikov left, Smith returned and became a co-director, along with Jane Hermann. During their two years working together, Smith and Hermann tried to maintain the traditions of the past while creating an innovative future. Just as the American Ballet Theatre has expanded the boundaries of dance, it has expanded the boundaries of its domain, too.

The ABT has undertaken 15 international tours to more than 40 countries. The group visited China for the first time in , performing in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Taipei and Singapore were also on the agenda during that trip. How can you get involved with the ABT? On the next page, we'll discuss how you can help the company, even if you've got two left feet. Kevin McKenzie is the current artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre -- only the fifth person to hold that job in 70 years.

A native of Vermont and a former ABT principal dancer, McKenzie focuses on the "American" in the company's name and keeps that in mind while developing new performances. The American Ballet Theatre must obtain half of its operating budget each year through donations. It takes a lot of money to keep the ABT dancing and much of that comes from a dedicated cadre of foundations, businesses and individuals who support the performing arts with their donations.

It's possible to make one-time donations to ABT or buy into one of several membership options:. Members at each level get certain benefits, along with certain obligations. At the highest level is the Chairman's Council, a relatively new program. Under his leadership, numerous classical ballets were staged, restaged and refurbished, and the company experienced a strengthening and refining of the classical tradition. In , Jane Hermann and Oliver Smith succeeded Baryshnikov and immediately established an agenda that was dedicated to maintaining the great traditions of the past while aggressively pursuing a vital and innovative future.

Photo: Paul B. Over its year history, the company has appeared in a total of cities in 45 countries, and has appeared in all 50 states of the United States. Skip to main content Skip to footer site map. In the company made its first visit to China, appearing in both Shanghai and Hong Kong.

During this tour it also appeared in Taipei and Singapore for the first time. ABT hosts a number of programs for young audiences, including ABTkids and Pre-Performance Workshops that help kids get the most out of a ballet experience. The company also distributes thousands of complimentary tickets to schoolchildren each year.

Students are given two performance tickets so they may attend with a parent or guardian, making dance accessible to families who might not otherwise be able to afford it.