Smuin Contemporary Ballet

Smuin Contemporary Ballet pushes the boundaries of contemporary ballet within a distinctly American style, combining classical ballet training, technique, and artistry with uncommon physicality and expression. Smuin offers audiences an experience of ballet that is entertaining, evocative, and original.

Debuting in San Francisco in 1994, Smuin immediately established itself as one of the Bay Area’s most eagerly watched performing arts companies of international acclaim, performing to sold-out houses on U.S. and European tours. Michael Smuin’s singular philosophy to create pieces, which merge the diverse vocabularies of classical ballet and contemporary dance has served as the Company’s touchstone since its inception.

Since 2007, Artistic Director Celia Fushille’s vision includes sustaining and increasing the Company’s reputation for presenting compelling and innovative repertoire, as well as attracting new audiences to the medium. The Company continues to showcase Michael Smuin’s work, while enriching its impressive repertoire with contemporary choreographic voices, commissioning world premieres and collaborating with inventive choreographers from around the world.

More than 30,000 people enjoy Smuin performances each season, performing more than 60 shows during its regular season in San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Mountain View, and Carmel. Smuin is one of Northern California’s leading nonprofit dance companies, cementing its place at the forefront of the Bay Area arts scene.