Atlanta Ballet

Atlanta Ballet, founded in 1929 by dance visionary Dorothy Moses Alexander (1904-1986), is one of the premier dance companies in the United States and is recognized as the official State Ballet of Georgia. With a history that spans over nine decades, the company has established itself as a pillar of artistic excellence and innovation within the dance community. Atlanta Ballet's eclectic repertoire includes beloved classics and inventive originals, showcasing a commitment to both honoring the traditions of ballet and pushing the boundaries of the art form. The company's roots trace back to the Dorothy Alexander Dance Concert Group, which marked the beginning of the regional ballet movement in the United States. In 1946, under the new name Atlanta Civic Ballet, the company became the first dance organization in the nation to contribute to the funding of a symphony, donating its season's annual proceeds to the Atlanta Youth Symphony, now known as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. In 1958, Dorothy Alexander invited Robert Barnett, a soloist with the New York City Ballet and a protégé of George Balanchine, to join as a principal dancer. Barnett succeeded Alexander as artistic director in 1962, a year after her retirement, and expanded the company's repertoire with many Balanchine masterworks, including "The Nutcracker." Barnett's tenure saw the company grow in stature and repertoire, continuing until John McFall took over as the third artistic director in 1994. John McFall's era was marked by a spirit of innovation and collaboration, bringing contemporary modern dance premieres and new full-length ballets to Atlanta. He fostered partnerships with artists and organizations across different genres, including collaborations with Big Boi of OutKast, Indigo Girls, and the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Choir. McFall's vision also led to the creation of an ensemble company of international professional dancers and provided a platform for some of the world's most innovative choreographers. Following McFall's retirement in 2016, Gennadi Nedvigin, a former principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet and alumnus of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, was appointed as the fourth artistic director. Nedvigin has continued to cultivate the company's artistic excellence by presenting a mix of classical and neoclassical works alongside new pieces from celebrated choreographers, further elevating Atlanta Ballet's national and international profile. Atlanta Ballet is recognized as the oldest ballet company in America and the largest self-supported arts organization in Georgia. It has served as a cultural ambassador, performing globally in locations such as Taipei, Taiwan, and Seoul, Korea. Notably, the company participated in the Olympic Arts Festival/Cultural Olympiad in 1996 and made its London debut in 1999 with John McFall's "Peter Pan" at the Royal Festival Hall's millennium celebration. In 2013, Atlanta Ballet toured China, representing American dance at the National Ballet of China's International Ballet Season. In addition to its performance history, Atlanta Ballet opened the Centre for Dance Education (CDE) in 1996, under the leadership of John McFall and with Sharon Story as dean. The CDE is dedicated to nurturing young dancers and providing creative outlets for adults, offering a wide range of dance classes and community programs. It has become a leader in dance education, with its school programs positively impacting thousands of metro Atlanta schoolchildren. Today, Atlanta Ballet continues to honor the vision of its founder, Dorothy Alexander, by inspiring audiences with the empowering joy of dance and maintaining a strong commitment to dance education and performance. With a 4-star ranking from Charity Navigator, the organization's dedication to its mission, vision, and values, as well as its diversity and inclusion initiatives, ensures that Atlanta Ballet remains a vital part of Atlanta's cultural landscape and the broader dance community. [End of Entry]