Ballet Arizona

ballet arizona

The company is a highly innovative and provocative professional ballet company that creates groundbreaking works of classical and contemporary ballet. As the Artistic Director, Ib Andersen, explains, the company is dedicated to preserving the classical dance form while creating works that are fresh and modern. They also make a commitment to providing free tickets to families in need. The following is a look at some of the ballets performed by Ballet Arizona.

In 1986, Arizona was home to three professional ballet companies. The three companies were battling for funding and audiences. Luckily, philanthropist and banker Allen Rosenberg stepped in and orchestrated a merger. The new company was named Ballet Arizona, and the Phoenix Civic Ballet and Arizona Metropolitan Ballet were merged. In 1985, a German-born dancer, Jean-Paul Comelin, who had previously danced with the New Zealand Ballet, was chosen to lead the company’s first season. In 1992, he was replaced by Charles Fischl, who subsequently became the first general manager and artistic director.

The company continues to grow and is proud of its rich history. Throughout the years, the company has showcased outstanding performances and earned a high reputation in American ballet. In 2000, Ballet Arizona nearly shut down due to serious debts but survived thanks to a successful fundraising campaign. The company now welcomes the public for free performances, and it is committed to increasing accessibility for underserved areas. There are even performances for those who are not familiar with ballet.