Orlando Ballet

Orlando Ballet's History

Orlando Ballet, founded in 1974, is central Florida's only fully residential professional ballet company and school. Focusing on live theater events and ticket sales, it stages a diverse variety of traditional and contemporary productions to audiences in the Orlando metro area and beyond.

Operating with the mission to entertain, educate, and enrich the cultural growth of Florida through the highest quality of dance, the Orlando Ballet represents a rich cultural presence in the entertainment scene of this vibrant city. Over the years, the ballet company has evolved to become a nationally recognized institution that continues to attract audiences with their high-quality performances and signature style.

The Orlando Ballet was established as The Performing Arts Company of Florida by twelve dedicated individuals as an ambitious experiment in the arts. Back then, it mainly served as a civic dance company, providing a platform for aspiring dance students to showcase their abilities. It also provided cultural outreach programs to expose local communities to the beauty of ballet.

Under the leadership of then artistic director, Kip Watson, the company staged its first performance in 1978. It was not long before the Orlando Ballet began to gain recognition, and in 1980, London's Royal Academy of Dancing bestowed upon the company the rare privilege of being an American company that can administer Academy-approved examinations.

The company's growth necessitated a significant change. Therefore, in 1990, the Orlando Ballet became a fully professional organization. With this, the company was able to recruit talent from all over the world, elevating its performances to greater heights. From traditional to innovative ballet, each production began to showcase a unique blend of drama, passion, and stunning choreography.

The Orlando Ballet’s performances are often held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, complimenting the venue's vision to be an internationally recognized home for creativity, education, and culture. Tickets for these captivating performances have become sought-after items, drawing both locals and tourists who are eager to experience the magic of ballet.

The Ballet’s annual season typically includes a variety of shows, such as classical productions like 'The Nutcracker' during the holiday season, mixed repertory programs offering a blend of contemporary and traditional works, and family-friendly performances like 'Peter and the Wolf'. Several subscription packages are offered to patrons to make the most of the entire season. Tickets can be purchased online, providing an easy, hassle-free opportunity to secure a seat for these mesmerizing performances.

Besides performances, Orlando Ballet also maintains a top-notch training institution, the Orlando Ballet School, producing dancers who flourish in the international dance industry. The school is recognized as one of the best training academies in the world, further enhancing the company's reputation for excellence.

Orlando Ballet continues to be a vital part of the central Florida community, with a significant impact on the local economy and the cultural landscape of the region. The Ballet strengthens Orlando's growing reputation as a city that values arts and culture, contributing to its artistic diversity with its well-respected status in the dance community. Orlando Ballet represents the timeless tradition of ballet while embracing the contemporary aesthetics of the dance world, making it an essential staple of Orlando's performing arts scene.

More About Orlando Ballet

One of the most popular and highly anticipated live shows from Orlando Ballet is "The Nutcracker," a classic tale that comes alive on stage each holiday season. Accompanied by Tchaikovsky's iconic score, this ballet is a fan favorite with its enchanting melodies like "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" and "Waltz of the Flowers". The show typically sells out early in the season, with tickets highly coveted by both locals and visitors to the city.

Additionally, Orlando Ballet also hosts performances of "Swan Lake", another classic ballet, featuring a score by Tchaikovsky. This timeless masterpiece is famous for the composition "Dance of the Little Swans", a melodious tune that never fails to captivate the audience with its beauty and grace. This production brings with it a high demand for tickets, oftentimes resulting in sold-out shows.

In addition to these classic ballets, Orlando Ballet also showcases a variety of performances featuring contemporary music which helps to keep their performances fresh and exciting. These shows often reinterpret popular songs and soundtracks, transforming them into innovative ballet pieces. For example, their production of "Battle of the Sexes", reframed mainstream songs with the language of dance, becoming a crowd favorite.

Orlando Ballet is also known for its tribute performances to legendary artists. Their production of "Michael Jackson's Thriller" features an array of hit songs from the late King of Pop, while their production of "Vampire's Ball" offers a thrilling spectacle, encapsulating audiences with its unique storytelling; a mixture of popular songs and classical music. These performances often times generate a buzz, creating a high demand for tickets and memorable live events.

One of the recent endeavors of Orlando Ballet that has garnered attention is their "Made in the USA" series, where they incorporate popular American music into their performances. This series is quickly becoming highly popular, and tickets to these events are sought out by both classical ballet-lovers and fans of contemporary music.

In conclusion, Orlando Ballet's live shows brilliantly mesh classical ballet with popular music, forming an enchanting blend that appeals to a wide range of audiences. The pouring demand for tickets for these performances is a testament to their success in captivating audiences with their elegant yet innovative approach to ballet. Whether it's the festive "The Nutcracker", the romantic "Swan Lake", or the contemporary "Made in the USA" series, their productions never fail to enchant, making every performance a must-attend live event.