Orlando Ballet grew from a small group full of passion into Central Florida’s premier professional ballet company. Along the way, its performances filled seats all over the region and its staff filled them with dancers. This year the company celebrates 46 years of sharing the discipline and beauty of dance with the world. Established back in 1974 within a 4,500-square-foot warehouse this company has expanded its reach to become a part of the Central Florida community in various aspects. Now, the company’s complex consists of 16,000 square feet, making it Central Florida’s only fully residential professional ballet company. In addition to a host of classical and contemporary ballets, the company has expanded to officially resonate with the surrounding region, now officially titled Orlando Ballet.
A Rich History and Artistic Vision
With the determination to bring professional dance to Central Florida, Orlando Ballet was founded and grew steadily towards a long-established goal: ‘to create a world-class dance company for Central Florida by setting a standard of artistic excellence that attracts and inspires while developing and promoting a lifelong appreciation of dance,’ as our mission statement states. And our repertoire reflects that: in addition to the beloved classics, such as Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Giselle, there are contemporary works, and world premieres that continue to broaden the boundaries of ballet.
Performance Venues
Orlando Ballet showcases its primary stage shows at the Dr. Phillips Center, for the Performing Arts situated in the core of downtown Orlando well as at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre, the newly established base of operations for the company’s artistic and educational initiatives, in downtown Orlando.
Community Engagement and Dance Education
Widely recognized for its unwavering dedication to increasing dance education and teaching for the community, Orlando Ballet offers numerous programs and initiatives that focus on community enrichment, performance lecture demonstrations, and workshops.
Orlando Ballet School, a classical ballet school with high standards and a comprehensive training program, offers training programs for dancers from their pre-ballet to pre-professional level (I placed my sons in the pre-ballet here). There has always been an opportunity for graduates who show a real aptitude to go on to perform with the Orlando Ballet and other prestigious companies. Orlando Ballet II is a second pre-professional company that supports and trains dancers leading up to the beginning of their professional careers.
Orlando Ballet II
Orlando Ballet II (OB II) serves as a vital link between the student and the professional dancer. This pre-professional company, led by Sandra Dolan, offers training and performance experiences that the emerging dancer needs to fill the gap between the two roles. Performing with the company members is not only an honour but a great asset to the dancer. It offers the experience of working with a professional-level ballet company.
Achievements and Recognition
Orlando Ballet has received awards, for its artistry and dedication to serving the community. The company has received critical acclaim for the excellence of its dancing, innovative choreography, intriguing storytelling, climbing attendance at its numerous performing seasons, and unwavering commitment to our community. Orlando Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition that draws thousands of new audience members and showcases our talent and creativity.
Looking Forward
For the future, Orlando Ballet will continue to grow in its mission to ‘present the highest standards of professionalism and artistic excellence in ballet, create ambitious company programming that will keep artistic innovation vibrant, engage the community in every aspect of performance and community presentations, reach out with educational programs to the youngest of children to adults, and train the professional dancers of tomorrow’.
Conclusion
Created through the collaborative efforts of talented dancers, musicians, designers, and technicians, as well as supportive patrons, donors, and volunteers, dance companies are also a reflection of the human experience. Orlando Ballet has represented Central Florida for more than 20 years, performing in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and only adding to the unique cultural landscape of the region. Orlando Ballet is also deeply committed to serving our community. Our education programs impact more than 25,000 children annually by providing them with arts and movement outreach. And, our community programs continue to reach the elderly and underserved in Central Florida, enhancing their quality of life through community dance. Gaining much acclaim from past and present productions, the Orlando Ballet Orchestra also stands as its own segment of the company. Alongside the outstanding company dancers, the outstanding musicians embody the brilliance and authenticity of Orlando Ballet’s full experience. Whether classic or contemporary, a performance by this breathtaking company is an event certainly worth attending. Check out our upcoming season and buy your tickets today.
