Los Angeles Ballet
General information
NameLos Angeles Ballet
Year founded2004
Founding artistic directorAage Thordal-Christensen
Colleen Neary
Principal venueDolby Theatre
Royce Hall
Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
Pasadena Civic Auditorium
The Broad Stage
Websitelosangelesballet.org
Senior staff
Executive DirectorBrandon Lussier
Company managerKirsten Turkle
Artistic staff
Artistic DirectorMelissa Barak
Ballet MistressLaura Chachich
Other
Formation

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. A typical LAB season consists of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, a storybook ballet, and a mixed repertoire performance.

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] In 2022, Melissa Barak became the Artistic Director of the company.[4]

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 from 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.[5]

In addition to its repertoire of well-known classical ballets, Los Angeles Ballet has also commissioned several 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.

In 2022, Melissa Barak was appointed as the Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Ballet. 2023 marked her full inaugural season with the company.[6]

Artistic staff

Artistic directors

Thordal Christensen and his wife, Colleen Neary, are the 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][7]

Melissa Barak is the current Artistic Director for the Los Angeles Ballet. She has previously danced with both the Los Angeles Ballet and the New York City Ballet, as well as serving as the Artistic Director for her own Los Angeles-based ballet company, Barak Ballet.

Dancers

The company consists of 21 to 37 dancers.[1] LAB holds auditions in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York City. [2] Currently the company is working as a non-ranked company.

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]

Los Angeles Ballet Center

Located on the Westside of Los Angeles, the LA Ballet Center spans 12,000 square feet, incorporating three studios and multiple offices.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 Haskins, Ann (June 26, 2013). "Los Angeles Ballet". Pointe. ProQuest 207945345.
  2. 1 2 3 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.
  3. ↑ "History of Los Angeles Ballet". losangelesballet.org. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Melissa Barak | Artistic Director | Los Angeles Ballet". LAB 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  5. ↑ "About LAB". losangelesballet.org. Archived from the original on November 1, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  6. ↑ "2023-2024 Season | Los Angeles Ballet". LAB 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. 1 2 3 Kanner, A.Catherine. "Los Angeles Ballet". Joel Media Group. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
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