American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre is a New York-based classical ballet company known for its large-scale repertory, internationally recognized dancers, touring program, and ballet education initiatives.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
American Ballet Theatre, commonly known as ABT, is a classical ballet company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1939 as Ballet Theatre by Lucia Chase, Richard Pleasant, and a small group associated with Mordkin Ballet, the organization was created around the ambition of building a large company with a broad and varied repertory. Its first performance took place on January 11, 1940. From the beginning, ABT combined established full-length ballets with newly commissioned and artistically distinctive works, an approach that allowed it to serve both traditional ballet audiences and choreographers working in newer styles. Lucia Chase was central to the company’s early development. She promoted well-known narrative ballets while helping the organization navigate recurring financial pressures. Oliver Smith joined the company in 1945 and became co-director with Chase. Their leadership helped establish a durable artistic and production structure, while the company’s repertory expanded through the work of choreographers including Antony Tudor, Agnes de Mille, George Balanchine, Michel Fokine, Léonide Massine, Bronislava Nijinska, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and Alvin Ailey. Antony Tudor became particularly closely associated with the company, and Agnes de Mille mounted many of her works with ABT. The company adopted the name American Ballet Theatre in 1957. During the 1960s and 1970s, stronger private support improved its prospects, although financial sustainability remained an ongoing management concern. The organization also increasingly emphasized the recruitment and presentation of star dancers. In 1977, it began its spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, which became a defining venue for its New York activities. The company has also presented shorter New York seasons and has toured widely across the United States and abroad. Mikhail Baryshnikov served as artistic director from 1980 to 1989. During his tenure, he staged, restaged, and refurbished numerous classical works and reinforced the company’s connection to the classical repertory. Jane Hermann and Oliver Smith then served as artistic directors until 1992, when Kevin McKenzie became artistic director. McKenzie placed significant emphasis on full-length story ballets, responding to the preferences of the company’s traditional audience while managing periods of financial instability. In 2004, he established the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School as ABT’s associated ballet school. In 2009, Alexei Ratmansky became the company’s artist in residence, ending a lengthy period without an in-house choreographer and adding a major contemporary creative voice to the repertory. ABT’s educational and talent-development system includes the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and ABT Studio Company, formerly known as ABT II. The school serves children, pre-professional students, and young dancers preparing for professional careers. Studio Company provides a bridge between formal training and employment in leading ballet companies. ABT also operates Project Plié, a diversity initiative launched in 2013 to increase racial and ethnic representation in ballet through community partnerships, scholarships, training opportunities, and exposure programs. The company’s organizational structure includes apprentices, corps de ballet members, soloists, and principal dancers. Its programming combines canonical works such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker with works by major twentieth- and twenty-first-century choreographers. A 1976 production of The Nutcracker featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland was televised the following year and became a widely remembered ballet broadcast. In addition to its principal spring activities at the Metropolitan Opera House, ABT has presented performances at the David H. Koch Theater and holiday productions at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The United States Congress recognized ABT as America’s National Ballet Company in 2006. Susan Jaffe became artistic director at the end of 2022, following McKenzie’s departure, while Barry Hughson became executive director in 2024.
History
American Ballet Theatre originated in 1939 when Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant joined with a small group of dancers from Mordkin Ballet to create Ballet Theatre. Their objective was to establish a substantial company with an eclectic repertory rather than limit the organization to a single choreographic tradition. The first performance was presented on January 11, 1940. Chase guided the early company through financial challenges while building a repertory that combined recognized full-length ballets with original works. Oliver Smith joined in 1945 and became co-director with Chase. Their partnership supported the company’s institutional growth and helped it attract important choreographers. Antony Tudor became one of its principal creative figures, while Agnes de Mille contributed extensively. ABT also worked with artists including George Balanchine, Michel Fokine, Léonide Massine, Bronislava Nijinska, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and Alvin Ailey. This range helped distinguish the company from organizations focused on only one national or stylistic ballet lineage. In 1957, Ballet Theatre was renamed American Ballet Theatre. Private funding improved the company’s prospects during the 1960s and 1970s, although financial pressure continued to influence management. At the same time, ABT increasingly built its public identity around prominent dancers. The company began its spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1977, establishing a major institutional presence at Lincoln Center. Mikhail Baryshnikov became artistic director in 1980 and remained in the role until 1989. He revised and restaged a number of classical ballets and reinforced ABT’s commitment to the classical tradition. Jane Hermann and Oliver Smith led the company from 1989 to 1992, after which Kevin McKenzie became artistic director. McKenzie emphasized full-length narrative productions and maintained the company through financially difficult periods. In 2004, he established the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, giving ABT a formal training institution connected to the main company. Alexei Ratmansky became artist in residence in January 2009. His appointment provided ABT with an in-house choreographic presence after an extended period without a resident choreographer. The company continued to combine classical standards with new work, touring across the United States and internationally. It also expanded educational and access programs, including Project Plié, launched in 2013 to improve racial and ethnic diversity in ballet through scholarships, partnerships, and development opportunities. ABT’s training structure includes the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and ABT Studio Company. The school has children’s and pre-professional divisions, while Studio Company serves as an advanced bridge between training and professional employment. The main company itself is organized into apprentice, corps de ballet, soloist, and principal ranks. The company has traditionally maintained a spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House, with shorter New York seasons associated with the David H. Koch Theater. It also tours extensively and presents holiday performances, including productions of The Nutcracker. A 1976 Nutcracker production starring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland was televised the following year and became a notable ballet broadcast. Congress recognized ABT as America’s National Ballet Company in 2006. Kevin McKenzie left the artistic director position at the end of 2022, and Susan Jaffe succeeded him. Ratmansky departed in 2023. Barry Hughson became executive director in 2024. ABT remains an active classical ballet organization with performance, touring, educational, training, and diversity-related activities.
- 2024
Barry Hughson becomes executive director
[1]Barry Hughson takes over as executive director.
- 2022
Susan Jaffe becomes artistic director
[1]Susan Jaffe succeeds Kevin McKenzie at the end of 2022.
- 2013
Project Plié launches
[1]ABT launches a diversity initiative supporting broader racial and ethnic representation in ballet.
- 2009
Alexei Ratmansky becomes artist in residence
[1]ABT appoints Alexei Ratmansky as its artist in residence.
- 2006
National designation
[1]The United States Congress recognizes ABT as America’s National Ballet Company.
- 2004
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School is established
[1]ABT creates an official associated ballet school.
- 1977
Metropolitan Opera House spring season begins
[1]ABT begins its spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center.
- 1957
Name changes to American Ballet Theatre
[1]Ballet Theatre adopts the name American Ballet Theatre.
- 1945
Oliver Smith joins the leadership
[1]Oliver Smith joins the company and later becomes co-director with Lucia Chase.
- 1940
First performance
[1]The newly formed company gives its first performance on January 11.
Products and positioning
A prestigious American classical ballet institution combining a large-scale traditional repertory with contemporary choreography, star performers, touring, professional training, and cultural-education programs.
Performance repertory · 1939
Classical ballet repertory
ABT’s core offering is a repertory of classical and romantic ballets, including full-length narrative works and established concert pieces. The company’s approach combines fidelity to ballet tradition with new stagings, refreshed productions, and interpretation by internationally recognized dancers.
Holiday ballet · 1976
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is one of ABT’s recurring holiday productions. The company has presented versions associated with major dancers and choreographers, including a widely remembered 1976 production featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland that was televised the following year.
Performance repertory · 1939
Contemporary and commissioned works
Alongside classical works, ABT presents ballets created or staged by major modern and contemporary choreographers. The repertory has included works connected with Antony Tudor, Agnes de Mille, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, Alvin Ailey, and Alexei Ratmansky, among others.
Ballet education · 2004
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
The ABT/JKO School is the company’s associated training institution in Manhattan. It includes a Children’s Division for younger students, a Pre-Professional Division for adolescents, and advanced preparatory training connected to the pathway into professional ballet.
Professional development
ABT Studio Company
Formerly called ABT II, ABT Studio Company is a small advanced group of young dancers generally aged 16 to 20. It functions as a transition between ballet school and professional company life, preparing dancers for possible entry into ABT or other leading companies.
Access and diversity program · 2013
Project Plié
Project Plié is an initiative designed to broaden racial and ethnic representation in ballet. Its activities include community and industry partnerships, scholarships, and opportunities for young dancers of color to access ABT-related school, intensive, and workshop programs.
Touring performance · 1939
National and international touring
Outside its New York seasons, ABT tours extensively throughout the United States and internationally. Touring extends the company’s repertory beyond its home venues and forms an important part of its public identity as a national and international ballet institution.
Marketing campaigns
- 2013Project Plié
United States
ABT launched Project Plié to increase racial and ethnic representation in ballet. The program combines community and industry partnerships with scholarships and performance or training opportunities for young people of color, including access to the ABT/JKO School, summer intensives, and Young Dancer Workshop activities.
Outcome. Ongoing diversity and access initiative
Brand decisions
2022
Artistic leadership transitionOtherBackground
Kevin McKenzie’s departure had been announced in advance after three decades as artistic director.
Action taken
Susan Jaffe became artistic director at the end of 2022.
Aftermath
Jaffe assumed responsibility for the company’s artistic direction and repertory planning.
2009
Appointment of an artist in residenceStrategyBackground
ABT had experienced a long period without an in-house choreographer.
Action taken
The company appointed Alexei Ratmansky as artist in residence.
Aftermath
The appointment gave ABT a sustained internal choreographic presence while it continued presenting classical and new works.
2004
Creation of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis SchoolStrategyBackground
The company sought to strengthen its formal education and dancer-development infrastructure.
Action taken
ABT established the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School as its official associated ballet school.
Aftermath
The school became a central component of ABT’s training pathway and educational activities.
1977
Establishment of the Metropolitan Opera House spring seasonStrategyBackground
ABT was seeking a prominent and stable New York presentation base for its principal season.
Action taken
The company began presenting its spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center.
Aftermath
The venue became a defining part of ABT’s New York seasonal calendar.
1957
Adoption of the American Ballet Theatre nameStrategyBackground
The company had operated as Ballet Theatre since its founding in 1939.
Action taken
It changed its name to American Ballet Theatre while continuing to develop a broad classical and eclectic repertory.
Aftermath
The new name became the company’s enduring public identity.
Recent events
LG SIGNATURE extends partnership with American Ballet Theatre[3]
Reported:
LG SIGNATURE extended its partnership with American Ballet Theatre for 2021, continuing as its exclusive global electronics partner.
LG SIGNATURE launches digital art and culture campaign[4]
Reported:
LG SIGNATURE announced a digital campaign featuring collaborations with art and cultural institutions, including the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, American Ballet Theatre and La Scala.
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