Los Angeles Ballet
Los Angeles Ballet (LAB) is a classical ballet company based in Los Angeles. While rehearsals take place at the Los Angeles Ballet Center, the company tours venues across LA County, such as the Dolby Theatre and Royce Hall, during its performances. LAB typically hosts two classical ballets each season, with an additional Balanchine performance in the spring. The company was founded and co-directed by husband-and-wife team Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, and founding executive director Julie Whittaker. The company debuted December 2006 with an original production of The Nutcracker.[1][2][3]
| Los Angeles Ballet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Name | Los Angeles Ballet |
| Year founded | 2004 |
| Principal venue | Dolby Theatre Royce Hall El Capitan Theatre Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center Alex Theatre |
| Website | losangelesballet.org |
| Senior staff | |
| Executive Director | Los Angeles Ballet |
| Artistic staff | |
| Artistic Director | Thordal Christensen Colleen Neary |
| Other | |
| Associated schools | Los Angeles Ballet School |
| Formation | |
History
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, and executive director Julie Whittaker. 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, its mission 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.
Artistic staff
Artistic directors
Thordal Christensen and his wife, Colleen Neary, are founding directors of the ballet. Christensen was a former principal dancer for and artistic director of the Royal Danish Ballet, with Neary appointed as the ‘first ballet mistress’ in charge of their productions. Neary was a principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet and a Soloist with New York City Ballet under George Balanchine, and is currently a repetiteur for The George Balanchine Trust.[2][5]
Dancers
The company consists of 21 to 37 dancers.[1] LAB holds auditions in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York City. [2]
Principals
- Petra Conti
- Tigran Sargsyan
- Kenta Shimizu
- Akimitsu Yahata
Soloists
- Laura Chachich
- Magnus Christoffersen
- Jasmine Perry
Company
- McKenzie Byrne
- Cassidy Cocke
- Brigitte Edwards
- Lilly Fife
- Kate Inoue
- Hannah Keene
- Julianne Kinasiewicz
- Tate Lee
- Cassidy McAndrew
- Leah McCall
- Madeline McMillin
- Mackenzie Moser
- Clay Murray
- Dave Naquin
- Santiago Paniagua
- Cesar Ramirez
- Marcos Ramirez
- Brittany Rand
- Joshua Schwartz
- Linnea Swarting
- Ryo Araki
Former members
Former dancers
- Melissa Barak
- Lana Condor
- Craig Hall
- Bianca Bulle
- Eris Nezha
- Chelsea Page Johnston
- Shintaro Akana
- Joshua Brown
- Abby Callahan
- Brittany Cavaco
- Alyssa Harrington
- Jay Markov
- SarahAnne Perel
- Carolynn Rowland
- Cleo Taneja
Repertoire
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.
Programs
LAB has two arts programs. “Power of Performance”, or "POP", was founded with LAB's inception, providing free tickets to disadvantaged children, seniors, veterans, and their families.[8] LAB also sponsors ‘A Chance to Dance Community Day’, launched in October 2012. 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 serves approximately 200 participants every year.[8]
References
- Haskins, Ann (June 26, 2013). "Los Angeles Ballet". Pointe. ProQuest 207945345.
- Looseleaf, V (August 2010). "California dreamin': once a long shot, Los Angeles Ballet has found a welcoming--and growing--audience". Dance Magazine. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- "History of Los Angeles Ballet". losangelesballet.org. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
- "About LAB". losangelesballet.org. Archived from the original on November 1, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
- "Los Angeles Ballet Makes Southern California Debut Led by Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary". Business Wire. The Free Library. June 26, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2006.
- "Artistic Staff". Los Angeles Ballet. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- "Artistic Staff". Los Angeles Ballet. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
- Kanner, A.Catherine. "Los Angeles Ballet". Joel Media Group. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.