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Male ballet performer against a black background
Male ballet performer against a black background

About LAB

About LAB

As Los Angeles Ballet embarks on a new era, we embrace what has always made the city of Los Angeles so special — the place to dream big. Los Angeles Ballet signifies LA's imaginative spirit of what is possible, what is unique, and what is the future. Ballet is an exceptional craft that flourishes through the talents of a broader creative network. It is a transcendent art form that we believe should be shared with, and enjoyed by, as many people as possible.

LAB is committed to the Mission of:

  • Presenting bold new works and staging existing works by many of today’s most innovative dance-makers. 

  • Collaborating with a diverse array of movement creation artists across the dance spectrum, and artists of all different genres and design worlds.

  • Expanding people’s knowledge of and appreciation for ballet by providing access to the widest audiences possible through community engagement, education, and outreach programs.

  • Celebrating our dancers’ individuality and cultivating a company culture that prioritizes their well-being both emotionally and physically.

About the Company

Los Angeles Ballet (LAB) is the leading ballet company in Los Angeles known for staging classical, contemporary, romantic and neoclassical ballets, for pioneering new works and for presenting relevant works by many of today’s most innovative dance-makers. LAB’s original production of The Nutcracker is an annual holiday favorite for Los Angeles residents and delights regional, national and international visitors. 

Led by Artistic Director Melissa Barak and Interim Executive Director Julia Rivera, LAB performs in multiple theater venues across LA County including The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, Royce Hall at UCLA, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, Pasadena Civic Auditorium and Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

As part of its mission to expand people’s knowledge of and nurture a love for ballet, LAB gives access to performances to the widest audiences possible by providing free tickets for thousands of residents in underserved communities in Los Angeles County through its arts education program, Power of Performance (POP!). In 2012, LAB launched a hands-on outreach program called A Chance to Dance (ACTD) that provides free ballet and movement instruction for all ages. Los Angeles Ballet was founded in 2004 by Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, Artistic Directors Emeriti and Julie Whittaker, Executive Director, Emerita.

PARTICIPATE

LAB’s Membership Circles are donor benefits designed to build a community through a shared love of ballet and to provide a deeper appreciation of the art form through unique experiences and exclusive content.

Become a Member Today!

LOS ANGELES BALLET

Read the history of the Company and learn about LAB’s Leadership, Mission, and Community Outreach initiatives.

History
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