Los Angeles Ballet

The original Los Angeles Ballet was founded in 1974 under the direction of John Clifford a former principal dancer with New York City Ballet. Eleven years later, in 1985, financial difficulties forced Clifford's company to close.

Two decades later, in 2004, a new Los Angeles Ballet was established by Co-Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary. The company debuted in December 2006, with an original production of The Nutcracker, choreographed by Christensen and Neary, featuring costumes commissioned by Christensen the Royal Danish Ballet and a Southern California-themed set designed by Catherine Kanner. LAB continues to host performances of The Nutcracker annually. In 2009, LAB presented Bournonville's La Sylphide, its first full-length classical story ballet after The Nutcracker. At the end of nine seasons it presented 28 productions encompassing 50 works, including 15 commissioned world premieres.[4]

In addition to its repertoire of well-known classical ballets, Los Angeles Ballet has also commissioned 15 new works, one developed out of LAB's Choreographic Workshop, whose purpose of the workshop is to identify and nurture Southern Californian choreographic talent.

In 2017, Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra, under the direction of internationally renowned conductor Andrea Quinn debuted with The Nutcracker at the Dolby Theatre.

The company commenced with 21 dancers, later the company has ranged from 21 to 37 dancers each year.[1] LAB holds auditions in Seattle, LA, and New York City. If selected, company members are offered 25-week contracts.[2]

LAB's repertoire focuses on various works and styles; including Balanchine masterpieces staged by Neary, Bournonville ballets as imparted by Christensen, and classical ballets, such as including Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, and The Sleeping Beauty. As a répétiteur for The George Balanchine Trust, Neary is one of the rarified few charged with carrying on the Balanchine legacy.

The Ballet has an associated training academy, the Los Angeles Ballet School, serving pupils from beginner to pre-professional programs. Starting from the foundation of the LAB, it has developed multiple charity and arts programs. The “Power of Performance” program provides free tickets to disadvantaged children, seniors, veterans, and their families.[8] The LAB also sponsors ‘A Chance to Dance Community Day’ event launched in October 2012. Being an all ages event, the public is encouraged to participate in free ballet, hip-hop, Yoga, Pilates and various other dance/fitness classes. The program intakes roughly 200 participants every year.[8] The school runs a Choreographic Workshop, to identify Southern California choreographic talent.[8]

• Los Angeles Ballet website