Pennsylvania Ballet

Pennsylvania Ballet is committed to making dreams of dance come true. When the Company was founded in 1963 by Barbara Weisberger it was her dream, fostered and encouraged by George Balanchine, to not just bring the best in dance to Pennsylvania, but to develop local talent to become great dancers. Her dream has been fulfilled again and again over the decades as the Company has flourished, first under Ms. Wiesberger’s direction and then with a number of illustrious Artistic Directors including Benjamin Harkarvy, who had extensive experience in Europe; Robert Weiss and Christopher d’Amboise, both of whom danced for Mr. Balanchine at New York City Ballet; and Roy Kaiser who was a Pennsylvania Ballet dancer before becoming Artistic Director for nearly two decades.

With the appointment of Angel Corella to the role of Artistic Director in 2014, the Company has moved into a new phase of its development. With Angel’s experience as both a dancers and a director of his own company in Spain, the Company is increasingly reflecting the broader world of dance. This shows in the breadth of works being performed, as well as in the increasing interest from dancers around the world interested in joining the Company.

Under Angel’s direction the Company is dancing with new energy and excitement which has been noted by critics and audiences. Looking forward, Angel is programming works that honor the Company’s Balanchine roots, full-length classics in which Angel excelled, internationally recognized contemporary works of the finest caliber, and new commissions by choreographers both established and emerging.

In addition to making dancing dreams come true on stage, the Pennsylvania Ballet organization strives to share the joy of dance throughout our community. Pennsylvania Ballet II performs across the region, introducing new audiences to the beauty of dance, The School of the Pennsylvania Ballet is making dreams come true for the next generation of dancers by offering the very finest in dance education, and Pennsylvania Ballet Community Engagement programs help people connect to their own dreams of dance; sometimes in theaters, sometimes in our studios, and often in schools, community centers, and health facilities.

Pennsylvania Ballet has been making dreams come true for 53 years, and the future has never looked brighter.