Oakland Ballet

The Oakland Ballet Company (OBC) is a prominent non-profit performing arts organization based in Oakland, California, that has been a vital part of the city's cultural landscape for over five decades. Founded in 1965 by Oakland native Ronn Guidi, the company has a storied history of promoting the art of ballet by making it exciting, relevant, and accessible to the diverse population of Oakland and the greater East Bay area. OBC's founding was heavily influenced by the principles of the Ballets Russes, an iconic dance troupe formed in Paris in the early 20th century under impresario Sergei Diaghilev, known for redefining ballet. Under Guidi's direction, Oakland Ballet gained international acclaim for its historic reconstructions of Ballets Russes works from the Diaghilev era, including the United States' first restagings of ballets by Bronislava Nijinska. Throughout its history, the Oakland Ballet Company has been committed to preserving and presenting modern masterpieces. It has revived significant works by renowned choreographers such as Kurt Jooss, Michel Fokine, Charles Weidman, and Antony Tudor. The company has also been a champion of American ballet, showcasing pieces like Eugene Loring's "Billy the Kid," Ruthanna Boris's "Cakewalk," and Agnes de Mille's "Fall River Legend." In the new millennium, OBC entered a new phase under the leadership of Artistic Director Karen Brown, a former dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Brown emphasized the production of ballets by local and contemporary choreographers while maintaining the company's dedication to classical works. In 2007, Ronn Guidi returned to the company, retiring for the final time in 2008, after which the company continued under the guidance of guest Artistic Directors until 2010. Since 2010, the company has been under the artistic direction of Graham Lustig, an internationally acclaimed choreographer and director. Lustig has revitalized OBC's commitment to the local community, producing artistically vibrant ballets and drawing on the Bay Area's diverse talent pool. Under his tenure, the company has expanded its repertoire to include productions like "Luna Mexicana," a celebration of Dia de los Muertos, and has initiated collaborations with local artists and organizations. Lustig has also commissioned new works from local choreographers, including Sonya Delwaide, Natalya Shoaf, and Linda Steele II, and established East Bay Dances to provide performance opportunities for local dance groups. In 2011, he launched an annual summer intensive dance and choreography workshop, as well as ongoing training through The Academy at Oakland Ballet. Additionally, he revitalized the company's role in arts education with the Discover Dance community engagement program and the You Can Dance residency program, which brings dance education into public schools. The Oakland Ballet Company continues to present a range of professional dance performances and educational programs, including the Discover Dance program, which reaches over 15,000 students, teachers, and community members annually. The Academy at Oakland Ballet offers classical ballet training and nurtures artistic expression and self-confidence in a supportive environment for students of various ages and skill levels. With a vision that extends beyond its name, the Oakland Ballet Company remains a beacon of artistic excellence and community engagement in the East Bay, embracing a variety of dance styles and musical genres, and fostering collaborations with a diverse array of local artists.