Louisville Ballet

The Louisville Ballet is a ballet school and professional ballet company based in Louisville, Kentucky. It is the official state ballet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Ballet was established in 1952 and currently employs 25 professional dancers. As of 2025, the company is led by artistic director Mikelle Bruzina and CEO Leslie Smart.

History

The Louisville Ballet held its first audition for dancers in 1952, making it the fifth oldest ballet company in the United States. The company achieved professional status (previously a civic company), admitted its first students, and moved locations in 1975. A few years later, Mikhail Baryshnikov served as an artist in residence with the Louisville Ballet. The Ballet has world premiered 70 pieces and has 150 pieces in its collection.

In 2015, Robert Curran was the head of Louisville Ballet. He was formerly with the Australian Ballet as a principal dancer and the Bangarra Dance Theatre as a rehearsal director. Australian dancer and choreographer Daniel Riley spent two weeks choreographing a more contemporary dance form, ''Sacred Shifts'', for the Ballet which premiered in March 2015.

Like other ballet companies, the Louisville Ballet struggled after the 2020 pandemic due to cancellations, adaptive programming, and continuing to pay dancer salaries. In 2023, they were trying to raise $3.1 million. The ballet received many donations including $50,000 from Jack Harlow, who is from Louisville. The company tried to prioritize local programming and connections during this time. The 2023–2024 season did not have the usual accompaniment by the Louisville Orchestra for the annual Nutcracker productions due to these financial hardships.

As of 2025, the company is led by CEO Leslie Smart and artistic director Mikelle Bruzina.

Description and school

The company presents full-length ballets each year, which have included ''Swan Lake'', '' The Sleeping Beauty'', ''Coppelia'', ''Romeo and Juliet'', ''Cinderella'', ''Giselle'' and ''Don Quixote''. Additionally, Choreographer Val Caniparoli created the Brown-Forman Nutcracker, now an annual tradition for the Louisville Ballet.

As of 2025, the professional company is made up of 25 dancers and has a $5.5 million yearly budget. The 2025–2026 season is titled "Favorites + Fantasies" and will include performances of ''Dracula'' and ''Swan Lake''. The following season, 2026–2027, will be the 75th anniversary season for the company.

Most of the company's productions are accompanied by the Louisville Orchestra. The company performs at three venues in the city: The Brown Theatre, The Kentucky Center, and the Louisville Ballet Main Studio.

The Louisville Ballet School is connected with the professional company and serves as its official school. The school has a Youth Ensemble that performs with the professional company. Members of this program have joined many different professional companies. Additionally, many lower level programs as well as options for adults are offered within the school. The school also offers summer intensive programming. The school provides training to over 900 students. The Louisville Ballet Studio Company offers a level between the school and the professional company. This four-year, free program can allow dancers to build skills and work toward a professional career.

The Louisville Ballet can be found on East Main Street housed in a $2.2 million building that contains both studios and offices. The American Institute of Architects gave this building the Honor Award for Excellence in Architectural Design. The Ballet's building was also featured in ''Architecture''.

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Arts organizations based in Louisville, Kentucky
Ballet schools in the United States
Ballet companies in the United States
Arts organizations established in 1952
1952 establishments in Kentucky
Education in Louisville, Kentucky
Performing arts in Kentucky