Los Angeles Ballet: A Beacon of Classical Ballet in the City of Angels
Introduction to Los Angeles Ballet (LAB)
The Los Angeles Ballet (LAB) was founded in 2004 by Thordal Christensen with Colleen Neary and Julie Whittaker, three remarkable individuals who have made the LA Ballet a world-class classical ballet company in the City of Angels. The LA Ballet has built an excellent reputation, presenting the Balanchine repertoire, classical ballets, and a commitment to creating new works. It is the only resident professional classical ballet company in Los Angeles.
LAB’s Mission and Community Engagement
LAB is dedicated to bringing ballet to the people of all communities in Los Angeles County – trouncing the vast geographic breadth of Southern California by touring multiple venues, which enables a diverse swath of the public to experience the enchantment of ballet. LAB’s performance venues include the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Royce Hall at UCLA, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale, and The Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
Educational Outreach and Programs
Offstage, LAB is committed to arts education and outreach: its Power of Performance (POP!) program, which has been enriching the community since 2006, provides the gift of 50,000 free tickets each year to children, seniors, vets, and families in need. In 2012, LAB introduced A Chance to Dance for the community, which provides free ballet classes, alternative dance/fitness classes, and educational lectures/demonstrations with our professional dancers.
The 2024/2025 Season: A New Artistic Vision
This is the first season fully curated by new Artistic Director Melissa Barak. It features the return of The Nutcracker (now playing across venues!), Next Steps at The Broad Stage featuring works by Justin Peck and Hans van Manen, the world premiere of a ballet made for LAB by Barak and composer Kris Bowers, and a double bill with the premiere of Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird alongside Balanchine’s Serenade.
Celebrating Recent Achievements
LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS. His latest production – a version of Val Caniparoli’s Lady of the Camellias, staged last spring – has won critical acclaim as a testament to the technical mastery of the company’s dancers: ‘Fine, confident performances by the men, among the world’s most surgically precise double tours and pirouettes.’ The lighting design was sophisticated, and the scenic elements were elegant. The dancing expressed a deep emotionality, making LAB one of the premier ballet companies in North America. See the schedule of all Ballet Performances on tour in America and book ballet tickets online before the schedule fills up.
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