Oakland Ballet

Oakland Ballet is a nonprofit ballet company based in Oakland, California. Founded in 1965 by Oakland native Ronn Guidi, the company developed a distinctive identity by combining historical reconstruction with the presentation of American ballet and the commissioning of contemporary choreography. Its repertory has included reconstructions associated with the Ballets Russes tradition established by Serge Diaghilev, as well as works by major twentieth-century choreographers whose ballets have not always been regularly performed in the United States. The company’s historical and revival work has included ballets by Kurt Jooss, Michel Fokine, Charles Weidman, and Antony Tudor. Oakland Ballet also presented what was described as the first United States re-staging of works by Bronislava Nijinska. This interest in preservation was paired with a commitment to American masterpieces. Among the American works in its repertory were Eugene Loring’s Billy the Kid, Ruthanna Boris’s Cakewalk, and Agnes de Mille’s Fall River Legend. Guidi also contributed choreography to the company’s programming. Oakland Ballet’s artistic scope extended beyond canonical repertory. The company produced work by Bay Area and other American choreographers, including Val Caniparoli, Carlos Carvajal, Margaret Jenkins, Alonzo King, Michael Lowe, Robert Moses, and Amy Seiwert. This combination of recovered historical works, established American ballets, and new regional choreography positioned the company as both a repertory presenter and a participant in the Bay Area dance community. Leadership changes shaped the company’s later development. In 2000, Karen Brown, a dancer associated with Dance Theatre of Harlem, became artistic director. Guidi subsequently retired for the final time in 2008. Oakland Ballet continued presenting productions under guest artistic directors through the spring of 2010. In 2010, Lustig became artistic director. During his tenure, the company presented multiple seasons of The Nutcracker and spring repertory programs titled Forwards!, Diaghilev Imagery, and Oakland-esque, with an emphasis on commissioned work by Bay Area choreographers. Lustig’s period also included educational and community initiatives. His ballet Infinitum appeared at the West Wave Dance Festival in 2011. He initiated an annual summer Ballet Boot Camp, described as a two-week dance and choreography workshop, and supported continuing training through The Academy at Oakland Ballet Company. The company also renewed its role in East Bay arts education through Discover Dance, a community outreach program. Across its history, Oakland Ballet has therefore combined performance, repertory preservation, new choreography, artist development, and dance education.

Oakland Ballet Company was established in 1965 by Ronn Guidi, an Oakland native. From its early development, the company pursued a repertory broader than the standard presentation of familiar classical ballets. It became recognized for reconstructing historical works connected with the Ballets Russes tradition of Serge Diaghilev, while also presenting American ballet and commissioning or producing contemporary choreography. The company’s revival repertory included works by Kurt Jooss, Michel Fokine, Charles Weidman, and Antony Tudor. It also undertook the first United States re-staging of works by Bronislava Nijinska, reinforcing its role as a presenter of historically significant choreography. Alongside European and early modernist repertory, Oakland Ballet promoted American works such as Eugene Loring’s Billy the Kid, Ruthanna Boris’s Cakewalk, and Agnes de Mille’s Fall River Legend. Guidi’s own choreography formed another part of the company’s artistic activity. Oakland Ballet also maintained close connections with the wider Bay Area dance scene. Its productions included choreography by Val Caniparoli, Carlos Carvajal, Margaret Jenkins, Alonzo King, Michael Lowe, Robert Moses, and Amy Seiwert. This programming model allowed the company to connect preservation of dance history with regional artistic experimentation. In 2000, Karen Brown became artistic director. Guidi retired for the final time in 2008, after which the company presented productions under guest artistic directors through the spring of 2010. Lustig became artistic director in 2010. Under his direction, Oakland Ballet presented five seasons of The Nutcracker and three spring repertory programs: Forwards! in 2011, Diaghilev Imagery in 2013, and Oakland-esque in 2014. These programs emphasized commissions by Bay Area choreographers and continued the company’s interest in combining historical reference with new work. During this period, Lustig’s ballet Infinitum was included in the 2011 West Wave Dance Festival. He also initiated the company’s annual summer Ballet Boot Camp, a two-week dance and choreography workshop, and supported continuing instruction through The Academy at Oakland Ballet Company. Oakland Ballet further renewed its East Bay arts-education role through Discover Dance, a community outreach program. The available reference material documents the company’s founding, repertory, artistic leadership, and educational initiatives but does not provide enough information to establish current leadership, financial figures, venue ownership, or a current official website.

• 2014

  Oakland-esque presented

  [1]Oakland Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Oakland Ballet presented Oakland-esque, a spring repertory program emphasizing Bay Area creative work.

• 2013

  Diaghilev Imagery presented

  [1]Oakland Balleten.wikipedia.org

  The company presented the spring repertory program Diaghilev Imagery, reflecting its continuing interest in historical ballet traditions.

• 2011

  Forwards! presented

  [1]Oakland Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Oakland Ballet presented the spring repertory program Forwards! under Lustig’s artistic direction.

• 2011

  Infinitum included in West Wave Dance Festival

  [1]Oakland Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Lustig’s ballet Infinitum was included in the West Wave Dance Festival.

• 2010

  Lustig appointed artistic director

  [1]Oakland Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Lustig became artistic director and began a period featuring repertory productions, commissions, and education initiatives.

• 2008

  Guidi retired from artistic leadership

  [1]Oakland Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Founding artistic director Ronn Guidi retired for the final time.

• 2000

  Karen Brown became artistic director

  [1]Oakland Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Karen Brown, associated with Dance Theatre of Harlem, took over artistic leadership.

• 1965

  Oakland Ballet founded

  [1]Oakland Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Ronn Guidi founded the nonprofit Oakland Ballet Company in Oakland, California.

A nonprofit Oakland-based ballet institution combining historically informed repertory, American ballet masterpieces, Bay Area choreography, performance seasons, and dance education.

• Seasonal ballet production

  The Nutcracker

  A recurring seasonal production presented across five seasons during Lustig’s artistic directorship. The available source identifies The Nutcracker as a significant part of Oakland Ballet’s performance programming, but does not provide production dates, venue details, or current presentation status.

• Repertory and preservation

  Historical ballet reconstructions

  Oakland Ballet became known for reconstructing historically important works associated with the Ballets Russes and other twentieth-century choreographers. Its revival activities included works by Kurt Jooss, Michel Fokine, Charles Weidman, Antony Tudor, and Bronislava Nijinska.

• Ballet repertory

  American ballet repertory

  The company has presented American ballet works including Billy the Kid by Eugene Loring, Cakewalk by Ruthanna Boris, and Fall River Legend by Agnes de Mille. These works form part of Oakland Ballet’s effort to preserve and circulate American dance heritage.

• New choreography

  Contemporary choreography and commissions

  Oakland Ballet has produced choreography by Bay Area artists and other contemporary choreographers, including Val Caniparoli, Margaret Jenkins, Alonzo King, Robert Moses, and Amy Seiwert. During Lustig’s tenure, spring repertory programming placed particular emphasis on commissions from Bay Area choreographers.

• Dance workshop

  Ballet Boot Camp

  A two-week summer dance and choreography workshop initiated during Lustig’s artistic directorship. The program was described as an annual educational activity intended to provide dance training and creative development.

• Community arts education

  Discover Dance

  An East Bay community outreach program through which Oakland Ballet renewed its role in arts education. The available reference does not specify the program’s curriculum, audience size, or current operating schedule.

• Discover Dance

  East Bay · United States

  Oakland Ballet’s community outreach and arts-education initiative, established during Lustig’s artistic directorship to strengthen the company’s educational role in the East Bay.

  Outcome. The source describes Discover Dance as an ongoing component of the company’s outreach activity, but gives no quantitative outcome measures.

  Source
• Summer Ballet Boot Camp

  United States

  A recurring two-week summer workshop focused on dance and choreography, initiated under Lustig’s leadership.

  Outcome. The workshop became an annual training initiative according to the source material; participation and financial results are not reported.

  Source

• 2010

  Emphasis on Bay Area commissions and educationStrategy

  Background

  After Lustig became artistic director, Oakland Ballet continued its established interest in repertory while placing greater emphasis on commissioned work by Bay Area choreographers and on the company’s educational role.

  Action taken

  The company presented spring repertory programs, introduced Ballet Boot Camp, supported The Academy at Oakland Ballet Company, and established the Discover Dance outreach program.

  Aftermath

  These initiatives connected performance programming with regional artistic development and East Bay community education. The source provides no financial or attendance data.

  Source

1. 1Oakland Balleten.wikipedia.org