Is the Philadelphia Ballet the Same as the Pennsylvania Ballet?

Ballet

The Philadelphia Ballet and the Pennsylvania Ballet might appear to be the same, but they are two distinct organizations. The Philadelphia Ballet is a professional ballet company that has been in existence since 1929.

It was founded by Boris Kroll, a Russian-born dancer who had studied at the renowned Maryinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. The company has grown to be one of the largest and most respected in the country, performing works from some of the world’s greatest choreographers, including George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp.

The Pennsylvania Ballet is a smaller organization that specializes in classical ballet performances. Founded in 1963 by Barba Lipscomb and her husband George Balanchine Jr., the company focuses on traditional works from the 19th century repertoire such as Swan Lake and Giselle. Many of their contemporary works have been choreographed by artistic director Roy Kaiser and his staff, who have sought to create an innovative blend of classical technique with modern sensibility.

Despite being two separate organizations with different goals and ambitions, there is a great deal of overlap between the Philadelphia Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet. Many dancers from both companies have crossed over to perform with either organization at various points throughout their careers; likewise, both companies often collaborate on joint productions when possible. The two organizations also often share resources such as rehearsal spaces or costumes when they need them.

In conclusion, while many would assume that the Philadelphia Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet are one in the same entity, this is not true; they are distinct entities with their own mission statements and goals. That said, there is still considerable overlap between these two groups as they often share resources or collaborate on joint performances when possible. Is the Philadelphia Ballet the Same as the Pennsylvania Ballet? No – while they do share many similarities they remain separate entities nonetheless.