Alabama Ballet

Prior to the establishment of Alabama Ballet, there were three smaller ballet companies in the state of Alabama: the Birmingham Civic Ballet, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Ballet and Ballet Alabama.[1] In 1981, dancers Sonia Arova and Thor Sutowski decided to start a bona fide ballet company in the state and created Alabama Ballet.[1] Fifteen years later, in 1996, Wes Chapman and Roger Van Fleteren became co-directors of the company.[1] Nearly a decade later, in 2005, Tracey Alvey became Ballet Mistress and, two years later, Artistic Director.[1][2] After Chapman left, Van Fleteren became Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer.[2] Moreover, Leslie Fillmer serves as a music composer for the company.[2]

One of its annual performances is The Nutcracker as choreographed by George Balanchine (1904-1983).[2] Indeed, it is one of only six ballet companies in the world licensed to perform it.[2] The company has also performed choreographic renditions of Dracula and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.[2]

Since 1997, in conjunction with the Gorham Bluff's Institute, it has organized a summer residency in Gorham's Bluff, Alabama, overlooking the Tennessee River Valley.[3][4][5][6][7]

Additionally, the company runs a school for children ages 3 to 18.[2]