Ballet is a beautiful and timeless art form that has been around for centuries. It is a discipline that requires a great deal of dedication, training, and hard work.
For many dancers, performing with a professional ballet company is the ultimate goal. But how many ballet companies are there in the United States?
The answer to this question depends on how you define “ballet company”. According to the Dance/USA Directory, there are over 200 professional ballet companies in the US, ranging from internationally acclaimed organizations like the New York City Ballet to smaller regional companies such as the Louisville Ballet. However, this figure does not include companies with primarily non-ballet repertories or those that mix different styles of dance.
The majority of these companies are based in large cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, though there are also some smaller organizations located in smaller cities and towns throughout the country. Each company typically employs between 10-20 principal dancers and 10-50 corps de ballet members (the “ensemble”). In addition to those who perform onstage on a regular basis, many of these companies have staff members who handle administrative tasks such as fundraising and marketing.
In addition to these larger organizations, there are also several dozen independent schools or academies across the country that offer classical ballet training in both recreational and pre-professional settings. These schools may employ their own faculty or hold classes led by guest teachers from various professional companies.
Conclusion:
To sum up, there are more than 200 professional ballet companies operating in the United States today.
In addition to these larger organizations, numerous independent schools provide aspiring dancers with pre-professional instruction. Together, these institutions help ensure that this centuries-old art form continues to thrive for generations to come.