Ballet Company Research Paper: American Ballet Theater

Ballet Company Research Paper: American Ballet Theater

The American Ballet Theater started in 1939. ABT was created, the creators and developers of the company wanted to create this ballet company to “develop a repertoire of the best ballets from the past and to encourage the creation of new works by gifted young choreographers, wherever they might be found.” (ABT: AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE) Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith were the first original directors of ABT from 1945 to 1980.

In 1980, a new and up incoming artist, named Mikhail Baryshnikov, became the artistic director of American Ballet Theatre, after Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith stepped down as directors. The reason they did so is not clear, but in a position as a director, I can imagine

Kevin McKenzie was appointed Artistic Director. McKenzie, had his vision of ABT as "truly American" (Kevin McKenzie), which means that the American Ballet Theatre would be committed to maintaining the company's vast repertoire (from all walks and styles that the company had already performed). ABT, while under the direction of Kevin McKenzie, aimed and continues to aim to bring the art of dance (specifically in a theater setting) to all the great stages of the world, all across the world. Although, still keeping with ABT’s commitment, the company had recently been successful in many countries already. Including: “Abu Dhabi, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Havana, Paris, and Beijing”. An interesting fact that I came across was that on April 27, 2006, the American Ballet Theatre became America's National Ballet Company by an act of Congress. American Ballet Theatre was recognized and still is recognized today as “one of the greatest dance companies in the world.” (ABT: AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE)

Few ballet companies can stand on the same pedestal of ABT. For some companies, it’s due to the lack of a combination of size, the lack of detail and perfection, and the lack of communication to those outside of the company. But the American Ballet Theatre company lacks in nothing. They are perfection, they are poise, they are just

ABT currently has seventeen principal dancers. Nine males and eight females including Misty Copeland, who was recently added to the company several months back, and is the first African American women to join a professional ballet company as a principal dancer. ABT has ten Soloists, fifty-eight Corps de Ballet dancers, which are dancers that are called the “core” of the ballet. They make up the majority of the ballet, and interestingly enough, most principals before they actually become principals are part of the Corps and have been in the corps for about anywhere from 7-14 years. Oh and we can’t forget about the six apprentices. Those are just the dancers! That doesn’t include faculty, or music, administration, production, development and much more staff. ABT hires dancers of all types. Dancers of all races, all body types and from all backgrounds. Each and every single one of their dancers is individual in their own diverse way but they are also amazing technicians and people. Each dancer has been in ballet since a young age, on average each member of the company began training when they were between three to five years old. They each studied in ballet and found something they were passionate about. Each dancer, in their own way, loves their craft. They love what they do and it can be seen when they