American Contemporary Ballet

Based in Los Angeles, American Contemporary Ballet (ACB) was founded by choreographer Lincoln Jones to produce original contemporary classical ballets and present masterworks which exemplify dance as a musical art form. The company performs over 60 shows each season, spanning a repertory which includes works by George Balanchine, Fred Astaire, Lincoln Jones, and reconstructions of the seminal works of ballet history.

ACB performs in non-traditional spaces such as skyscrapers and other large, contemporary, and architecturally significant structures. With the audience seated at stage level, this creates a rare and visceral connection with the beauty and athleticism of ballet. Some of ACB’s productions, such as its original Nutcracker Suite, are immersive, placing the audience inside the set for a three-dimensional, experiential performance. ACB is the only ballet company in Los Angeles to perform exclusively to live music, which is played by some of the city’s finest classical musicians.

VISION & PHILOSOPHY—ACB draws upon the best of the classical tradition to create work of timeless relevance–work that is as entertaining as it is substantive. This approach has built a new audience for the art form in Los Angeles. Through innovative presentation and programs, an accessible ticket price, sophisticated backstage programs, and a high volume of performances, the company is bringing ballet to a mainstream level of cultural understanding in L.A. With strong creative ties in the film world, ACB is now also making cutting-edge use of the medium to make its product available internationally.

Artistic integrity is at the core of ACB’s values, as is the principle that while the expression of art almost always touches upon something other than itself, its creation and intent must never become a tool for something other than itself. As such, ACB fosters a creative and work environment that is independent of political, economic, or social agendas.