American Ballet Theatre is a dance company founded in 1940 and recognized by the U.S. Congress in 2006 as “America’s National Ballet Company.” The company’s mission is to create, present, preserve, and extend the great repertoire of classical dancing. ABT performs at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City and tours throughout the United States. The company has made more than 30 international tours to 43 countries and performs for more than 600,000 people annually. Productions include classical ballets such as Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, and Pillar of Fire, as well as works by choreographers including Alexei Ratmansky and Wayne McGregor.
ABT operates training programs including the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, a Studio Company, and Summer Intensive programs. The Young Dancer Summer Workshop serves dancers ages 9-12 and focuses on ballet technique, with classes in character, jazz, modern, mime, and body conditioning. Summer Intensives emphasize classical ballet technique and the National Training Curriculum, with supplementary classes in variations, modern, character, jazz, musical theater, yoga, Pilates, and other disciplines. The Collegiate Summer Intensive serves students ages 18-24. Programs are taught by ABT faculty, artistic staff, and company dancers.
