Sacramento Ballet

Sacramento Ballet is a professional ballet company and performing arts organization headquartered in Sacramento, California. Founded in 1954 by Barbara Crockett and Deane Crockett, it developed from a local dance initiative into the largest ballet company in California's capital city and the city's only arts organization with a resident company of professional artists. Its work combines performances of established classical repertory, contemporary choreography, new commissions, educational activity, and community engagement. Barbara Crockett led the organization through its formative decades and helped establish the institutional and civic support required for a professional resident company. The company’s growth was supported by community participation, the Ballet Guild, and grants from public and philanthropic bodies including the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, the California Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Crockett retired as company director in 1986 after achieving the goal of creating a professional ballet organization in Sacramento. A major artistic turning point came in 1988, when Ron Cunningham became artistic director. His wife, Carinne Binda, joined the organization the following year, and the pair became co-artistic directors in 1991. During Cunningham’s long tenure, Sacramento Ballet expanded its repertory through full-length productions, Balanchine works, Sacramento premieres, and world premieres. Cunningham’s own choreography became closely associated with the company, including productions of Carmina Burana, The Rite of Spring, and Bolero, alongside classical works such as The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Cinderella. The company has also presented works by a broad range of choreographers, including Septime Webre, David Parsons, Kathryn Posin, Agnes de Mille, Glen Tetley, Val Caniparoli, Trey McIntyre, and Twyla Tharp. According to the company’s historical account, during 18 seasons it added 13 full-length ballets, 18 Balanchine masterworks, 36 Sacramento premieres, and 34 world premieres. Its programming has included large-scale narrative ballets, mixed contemporary bills, family-oriented productions, touring projects, and informal formats such as Beer & Ballet. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, the company continued its transition between artistic leadership generations. Former company dancer Amy Seiwert served as artistic director from 2018 to 2020 and developed both repertory and new choreography, including a full-length interpretation of The Nutcracker. In July 2021, Anthony Krutzkamp was appointed artistic and executive director. Under Krutzkamp, the company reported strong ticket demand for The Nutcracker, presented a major production of Swan Lake in 2023, restored George Balanchine repertory, and continued commissioning or programming contemporary works. Sacramento Ballet’s artistic scope extends beyond traditional nineteenth-century classics. Recent programming has included works by Alejandro Cerrudo, Penny Saunders, Caili Quan, Jennifer Martinez, Adam Hougland, and Jermaine Maurice Spivey. Planned or announced 2024 repertory included a world premiere by Marika Brussel, Ihsan Rustem’s State of Matter, Ma Cong’s Carry Me Anew, Val Caniparoli’s Ibsen’s House, and a world premiere by Andrea Schermoly. The company’s seasons have also included productions such as Dracula, The Firebird, Scheherazade, Alice in Wonderland, A Streetcar Named Desire, Where the Wild Things Are, Nine Sinatra Songs, and a China tour. The organization relies on a combination of ticket income, corporate and foundation support, government arts funding, and community participation. Its cited supporters have included the California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Sacramento Regional Community Foundation, City of Sacramento Office of Arts & Culture, James Irvine Foundation, California Walnuts, Target Stores, Raley's Stores, Kaiser Permanente, and Western Health Advantage. The company has stated that audience attendance grew from approximately 15,000 to more than 100,000 people, reflecting an effort to reach audiences across age groups and demographic communities.

Sacramento Ballet was established in 1954 by Barbara Crockett and Deane Crockett. Barbara Crockett served as company director during the organization’s foundational period, when it developed from a Sacramento dance institution into a professional regional ballet company. Growth depended on local community support, the formation of the Ballet Guild, and grants from arts agencies and philanthropic sources. Support from the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, California Arts Council, and National Endowment for the Arts helped the company build the infrastructure needed for a resident professional ensemble. Crockett retired as company director in 1986 after guiding the company to professional status. In 1988, Ron Cunningham became artistic director. Carinne Binda joined the organization in 1989, and the two became co-artistic directors in 1991. Their tenure significantly broadened the company’s artistic profile. Cunningham created major works for Sacramento Ballet, including Carmina Burana, The Rite of Spring, and Bolero, while also staging classical repertory such as The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Cinderella. The company’s repertory during this period incorporated works by both established and contemporary choreographers, including Septime Webre, David Parsons, Kathryn Posin, Agnes de Mille, Glen Tetley, Val Caniparoli, Trey McIntyre, and Twyla Tharp. The company’s stated achievements during 18 seasons included 13 full-length ballets, 18 Balanchine masterworks, 36 Sacramento premieres, and 34 world premieres. Its season formats ranged from canonical narrative ballets and holiday productions to contemporary mixed bills, informal public events, and touring projects. Examples from the mid-2000s and late 2000s include Dracula, Carmina Burana, Scheherazade, The Firebird, Alice in Wonderland, A Streetcar Named Desire, Where the Wild Things Are, Nine Sinatra Songs, and a tour to China. Amy Seiwert, a former Sacramento Ballet dancer, served as artistic director from 2018 through 2020. Her leadership emphasized a combination of established repertory and new artistic work, including a full-length Nutcracker. In July 2021, Anthony Krutzkamp became artistic and executive director. His tenure has included strong reported demand for The Nutcracker, a 2023 production of Swan Lake, renewed presentation of George Balanchine works, and continued programming by contemporary choreographers such as Alejandro Cerrudo, Penny Saunders, Caili Quan, Jennifer Martinez, Adam Hougland, and Jermaine Maurice Spivey. For 2024, the company’s announced or referenced repertory included new and contemporary works by Marika Brussel, Ihsan Rustem, Ma Cong, and Andrea Schermoly, along with Val Caniparoli’s Ibsen’s House. These programs illustrate Sacramento Ballet’s continuing effort to balance traditional ballet audiences with contemporary artistic development. Institutionally, Sacramento Ballet is described as an integral part of Sacramento’s arts community and the only Sacramento arts organization with a resident company of professional artists. Its operations have been supported by corporations, foundations, government agencies, and audience income. Cited supporters include national and state arts organizations, the City of Sacramento Office of Arts & Culture, the Sacramento Regional Community Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, and corporate sponsors. The company has reported audience growth from 15,000 to more than 100,000 attendees, suggesting an expanding role in regional cultural life.

• 2023

  Swan Lake production presented

  [1]Sacramento Balleten.wikipedia.org

  The company directed and presented a prominent production of Swan Lake under Krutzkamp’s leadership.

• 2021

  Anthony Krutzkamp appointed artistic and executive director

  [1]Sacramento Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Krutzkamp took on combined artistic and executive leadership of the company.

• 2020

  Amy Seiwert's artistic directorship ends

  [1]Sacramento Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Seiwert’s tenure as artistic director concluded after a period focused on repertory and new work.

• 2018

  Amy Seiwert begins artistic directorship

  [1]Sacramento Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Former company dancer Amy Seiwert became artistic director.

• 2007

  Tour to China

  [1]Sacramento Balleten.wikipedia.org

  The company included a China tour in its 2006–2007 season activities.

• 1991

  Ron Cunningham and Carinne Binda become co-artistic directors

  [1]Sacramento Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Cunningham and Binda jointly led the company’s artistic program.

• 1988

  Ron Cunningham becomes artistic director

  [1]Sacramento Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Cunningham assumed artistic leadership and began a long period of repertory expansion and new choreography.

• 1986

  Barbara Crockett retires as company director

  [1]Sacramento Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Crockett retired after leading the company through its development into a professional resident ballet organization.

• 1954

  Sacramento Ballet founded

  [1]Sacramento Balleten.wikipedia.org

  Barbara Crockett and Deane Crockett established Sacramento Ballet in Sacramento, California.

A civic and professionally resident ballet company that combines classical repertory, contemporary choreography, new commissions, touring, and broad community access in California's capital city.

• Holiday classical ballet

  The Nutcracker

  The Nutcracker is one of Sacramento Ballet’s recurring signature productions and a major seasonal offering. The company has presented the work repeatedly across multiple decades, including standard productions and a full-length interpretation developed during Amy Seiwert’s artistic directorship. Under Anthony Krutzkamp, the production has been associated with record-breaking ticket sales reported by the company.

• Classical full-length ballet · 2023

  Swan Lake

  Sacramento Ballet’s Swan Lake is a large-scale classical production presented under Anthony Krutzkamp’s leadership in 2023. It formed part of the company’s continued investment in major narrative ballets and demonstrated its ability to mount repertory intended for broad regional and national artistic attention.

• Contemporary and neoclassical ballet

  Cunningham world-premiere repertory

  Ron Cunningham created a substantial body of work for Sacramento Ballet, including Carmina Burana, The Rite of Spring, and Bolero. These productions helped define the company’s artistic identity during his tenure by pairing the scale and dramatic force of full-length or concert works with a distinctive contemporary choreographic voice.

• Classical ballet

  Classical narrative repertory

  The company’s classical repertory has included Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, The Firebird, Dracula, Scheherazade, The Sleeping Beauty, and Alice in Wonderland. These productions support Sacramento Ballet’s role as a regional resident company able to present full-length works for general audiences, families, and established ballet patrons.

• Informal performance series

  Beer & Ballet

  Beer & Ballet is an informal performance format listed in Sacramento Ballet season programs. Its inclusion alongside conventional theater productions reflects the company’s effort to present dance in a more relaxed and accessible setting and to create additional points of contact between professional artists and local audiences.

• Contemporary dance

  Contemporary mixed-repertory programs

  Sacramento Ballet regularly presents mixed programs built around contemporary and neoclassical works. Recent cited choreographers include Alejandro Cerrudo, Penny Saunders, Caili Quan, Jennifer Martinez, Adam Hougland, and Jermaine Maurice Spivey. The format enables the company to introduce new choreographic voices while maintaining a connection to its classical training and resident ensemble.

• Community support and Ballet Guild development

  Sacramento region

  During its formative decades, Sacramento Ballet built local support through community participation and the formation of the Ballet Guild. These efforts helped establish the civic base for a professional resident company.

  Outcome. The company developed into a professional regional ballet organization and a continuing Sacramento arts institution.

  Source
• Audience development and community access

  Sacramento region · United States

  The company has combined mainstream classical productions, contemporary programs, family offerings, informal events, and community partnerships to broaden participation in ballet.

  Outcome. Reported attendance increased from approximately 15,000 to more than 100,000 people across diverse age groups and populations.

  Source

• 2024

  Expansion of contemporary and premiere programmingProduct launch

  Background

  The company’s current artistic direction emphasizes a balance between established classical repertory and new choreography.

  Action taken

  Sacramento Ballet scheduled works by Marika Brussel, Ihsan Rustem, Ma Cong, Val Caniparoli, and Andrea Schermoly, including two world premieres.

  Aftermath

  The announced season reinforced the company’s role as both a classical ballet presenter and a commissioner of contemporary work.

  Source

• 2021

  Appointment of Anthony KrutzkampStrategy

  Background

  Following Amy Seiwert’s 2018–2020 artistic directorship, the company required new artistic and executive leadership.

  Action taken

  Sacramento Ballet named Anthony Krutzkamp artistic and executive director.

  Aftermath

  The company reported strong Nutcracker ticket sales, presented Swan Lake in 2023, reintroduced George Balanchine works, and continued commissioning contemporary choreography.

  Source

• 1991

  Creation of co-artistic leadership structureStrategy

  Background

  Carinne Binda joined the company after Cunningham’s appointment and became part of its artistic leadership.

  Action taken

  Cunningham and Binda assumed co-artistic director roles.

  Aftermath

  The shared leadership supported an expanded repertory that included classical productions, Balanchine works, Sacramento premieres, and world premieres.

  Source

• 1988

  Engagement of Ron Cunningham as artistic directorStrategy

  Background

  Sacramento Ballet sought to continue its development as a professional regional company after Barbara Crockett’s retirement period.

  Action taken

  The company appointed Ron Cunningham as artistic director and subsequently expanded its classical, neoclassical, and contemporary repertory.

  Aftermath

  The Cunningham era became one of the company’s most significant periods of artistic expansion, including numerous premieres and new full-length works.

  Source

1. 1Sacramento Balleten.wikipedia.org