Ballet Austin is a nonprofit classical ballet company established in 1956, operating a combined training facility in downtown Austin with 22 professional dancers, Ballet Austin Academy for youth training, and the Butler Center for Dance & Fitness serving the community.
Ballet Austin is a nonprofit classical ballet company established in 1956 and based in downtown Austin, Texas. The company employs 22 full-time professional dancers and presents five annual productions, including The Nutcracker. It describes its artistic vision as “classically innovative” and states it is among the 15 largest classical ballet companies in the United States. The company has performed at international festivals in Paris and Montreal. Stephen Mills serves as artistic director, with Michelle Martin as associate artistic director.
Ballet Austin operates the Butler Dance Education Center, which houses its training facilities and the AustinVentures StudioTheater. The organization runs Ballet Austin Academy, founded in 1956 by Barbara Carson, which enrolls children ages 15 months to 18 years in a four-division program. The Butler Center for Dance & Fitness offers year-round classes in ballet, hip-hop, modern, fitness, and Pilates for adults and serves over 10,000 people annually. Ballet Austin TWO, established in 1999, functions as a second and apprentice company for post-high school dancers. The fully endowed Butler Fellowship Program provides tuition-free training for up to 15 dancers. Through its Night of Community program, created in 1997, the company has offered over 170,000 tickets to final dress rehearsals for nonprofit organizations.
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Ballet Austin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and one of the 15 largest classical ballet companies in the country, established in 1956. The organization operates with 22 full-time professional dancers and includes Ballet Austin Academy as its official ballet school, Ballet Austin TWO as its second and apprentice company, and the Butler Fellowship Program.
Ballet Austin is located in downtown Austin, Texas, at the Butler Dance Education Center, 501 West 3rd Street, Austin, Texas 78701.
Ballet Austin offers professional ballet performances and productions, Ballet Austin Academy classes for children and youth, year-round dance and fitness classes through the Butler Center for Dance & Fitness including adult classes in ballet, hip-hop, modern, fitness, and Pilates, the Butler Fellowship Program, school shows and education programs, and facility rental space.
Children ages 15 months to 18 years can enroll in Ballet Austin Academy, adults of all skill levels can take dance and fitness classes at the Butler Center for Dance & Fitness, post-high school advanced dancers can join Ballet Austin TWO, outstanding dancers can audition for the Butler Fellowship Program, audiences can attend performances, and clients of Central Texas nonprofit social service organizations with 501(c)(3) status can participate in Night of Community programs.
Ballet Austin Academy enrolls children ages 15 months to 18 years through four divisions, from the Young Children’s Division (ages 15 months to 5 years) to the Advanced Division (ages 14 to 18). The Butler Center for Dance & Fitness serves people of all ages and skill levels. Ballet Austin TWO offers opportunities for post-high school advanced dancers.
Ballet Austin offers company auditions for professional dancers, the Butler Fellowship Program providing up to 15 tuition-free positions for outstanding dancers, Ballet Austin TWO as a second and apprentice company for post-high school advanced dancers, and summer intensive programs. Students at the Butler Center for Dance Education train in the same facilities as professional dancers and can view company rehearsals.
Ballet Austin Academy has a comprehensive curriculum with a structured program covering students from the Young Children’s Division to the Advanced Division. Many instructors are current or former Ballet Austin Company dancers. The Butler Fellowship Program offers tuition-free training linked directly to the artistic vision of Ballet Austin, with daily technique classes taught by Artistic Director Stephen Mills, Associate Artistic Director Michelle Martin, and Rehearsal Directors Christopher Swaim and Alexa Capareda.
Ballet Austin presents five annual productions including The Nutcracker and features original, acclaimed productions. The organization offers Night of Community, which shares the final dress rehearsal for each of its five annual productions at The Long Center with community members. Season tickets and individual performance tickets are available through the Ticketing Services team.
Contact Ballet Austin at 501 West 3rd Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Business Offices: 512.476.9151. Ticketing Services: 512.476.2163 or boxoffice@balletaustin.org. Ballet Austin Academy: 512.501.8703 or registrar@balletaustin.org. Adult Dance and Fitness: lauren.parra-faudree@balletaustin.org. School Shows: 512.476.9151 ext. 141 or emily.williamson@balletaustin.org. Company Auditions: eugene.alvarez@balletaustin.org. General inquiries: info@balletaustin.org.