Festival Ballet Theatre

Festival Ballet Theatre (FBT) is a premier professional ballet company based in Orange County, California, renowned for its classical and contemporary performances. Founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla, FBT has established itself as a vital component of the region's artistic and economic vitality. The organization's mission is to inspire love and appreciation for dance, enrich lives, and cultivate a new generation of audiences and artists. FBT presents a season of exhilarating classical and contemporary performances, offering a nurturing environment for dancers and choreographers, and engaging in stimulating educational outreach programs. The company reveres classic masterpieces while focusing on developing future tours de force, presenting the best of dance to enrich the community experience. The company's repertoire includes full-length classical ballets such as "The Nutcracker," "Coppélia," "Don Quixote," "Giselle," "Sleeping Beauty," and "Swan Lake." FBT also showcases cutting-edge contemporary works and highlights the achievements of world-renowned guest and resident choreographers. Notable contemporary pieces include "Secret Garden," "Alice in Wonderland," "Midsummer's Night Dream," and "The Firebird." FBT has been instrumental in bringing the international dance world to Orange County, providing professional dancers with employment opportunities and high-caliber onstage experiences. The company also engages young dancers from the community, offering them the chance to perform alongside professional artists. Educational outreach is a key component of FBT's mission, with programs designed to introduce children to ballet, dance, and musicality. These include the Ballet to Schools Program and the Invitation to Ballet Program, which provide live performances and discussions to promote dance appreciation among youth. FBT also targets artistically underserved children and adults and reaches out to diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups through free dance performances and collaborations with other prestigious Orange County organizations. FBT is the originator and home of Orange County's International Ballet Festival and the Gala of the Stars, an event that features top-tier guest artists and offers master classes, receptions, and performances. The company's annual season includes more than 20 performances at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, with "The Nutcracker" in December, two full-length ballet productions, and the International Ballet Festival: Gala of the Stars. The company's productions have featured internationally acclaimed guest artists from prestigious companies worldwide, and FBT is committed to fostering the careers of talented and dedicated dancers. Festival Ballet Theatre has been recognized for its contributions to the arts, with Arts Orange County naming it Outstanding Arts Organization of the Year in 2001 and awarding Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla the Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award in 2014. Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla has had a profound impact on the Orange County dance community, with a career that includes performing leading roles in classical ballets and working under the direction of notable choreographers. She has trained in the Russian Vaganova method and completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ballet Pedagogy. Rizkalla established Southland Ballet Academy in 1983 and has been recognized with numerous awards for her service to the arts, including the Orange County Arts Educator of the Year Award for Secondary Dance and the Outstanding Teacher accolade from Youth America Grand Prix. Festival Ballet Theatre continues to play a significant role in enriching the cultural life of Orange County, inspiring audiences, and nurturing the next generation of dancers and choreographers.