The first American Ballet Company was founded in 1934 by the legendary choreographer George Balanchine and entrepreneur Lincoln Kirstein. Located in New York City, their mission was to create a professional ballet company that would bring the Russian style of classical ballet to America.
The company’s first performance was a sold-out success, and it quickly became one of the most important American ballet companies of its time. The company featured many of the most talented dancers, choreographers, and composers of the era. Many iconic works were created during this period, including Serenade, The Concert, and Four Temperaments.
In addition to creating their own works, Balanchine and Kirstein also introduced a number of European ballets to American audiences for the first time. These included works by Marius Petipa, Sir Frederick Ashton, Michel Fokine, and Vaslav Nijinsky. The company also presented world premieres by such renowned composers as Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev.
During its nearly 50-year history, the company developed a strong reputation for excellence in both performance and choreography. It served as a training ground for many future stars of dance including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gelsey Kirkland, Suzanne Farrell, Peter Martins, Patricia McBride, Edward Villella, and Darci Kistler.
The legacy of the original Balanchine-Kirstein company continues today in the form of The School of American Ballet, which they established in 1934 as part of their mission to train future generations of dancers in classical ballet technique and style as well as nurture new choreographers. From its beginnings with only 15 students at its school’s inception to its current enrollment over 600 students each year from all over the world; The School is regarded as one of the foremost training grounds for aspiring professional dancers today.
What was once a revolutionary idea has now become an integral part of America’s cultural landscape: that ballet can be more than just entertainment but an art form that captivates audiences with beauty and grace.
Conclusion: The first American Ballet Company was founded in 1934 by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein with an ambitious mission to bring Russian classical ballet to America. In addition to creating their own works they also introduced European ballets to American audiences for the first time while developing a reputation for excellence in both performance and choreography. Today this legacy lives on through The School of American Ballet which they established at inception to train future generations of dancers.