ABT Ballet, short for American Ballet Theatre, is an elite professional ballet company in the United States. The company is currently based at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City and has been training and performing ballet since 1940. ABT is one of the leading classical ballet companies in the world and is regarded as one of the “Big Three” American ballet companies alongside New York City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet.
The company was founded by Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant with a mission to bring classical dance to a wider audience. The original repertoire was based on pieces from classic European ballets such as Giselle, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and La Sylphide. In the decades since its inception, ABT has grown to include a wide range of classical and contemporary works from renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, Alexei Ratmansky, Marius Petipa ,and many others.
ABT has been credited with introducing new generations to ballet with its annual tour of cities throughout the United States. It also hosts an international tour every four years which travels to major cities around the globe including London, Tokyo, Beijing and Moscow. ABT has produced some of the most talented dancers in the world including former principal dancers Roberto Bolle, Angel Corella and Julie Kent among many others.
Today ABT continues to be one of the most respected names in ballet. The company’s performances have been praised for their technical excellence as well as their artistry and emotional depth. ABT’s commitment to preserving classic works while being open to new possibilities has earned it a place among America’s finest cultural institutions.
In conclusion:
ABT stands for American Ballet Theatre – a renowned classical ballet company that has been training and performing since 1940. With an impressive repertoire featuring both classic European ballets as well as contemporary works from renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine and Twyla Tharp – ABT continues to be one of the most respected names in ballet today.