Los Angeles Ballet operates with a mission to perform outstanding classical and modern ballets that set the standard for dance in Los Angeles, in the nation, and across the globe. Our vision is to be an instrument of hope, healing, and joy in sharing dance with the broadest possible audiences.

Founded in 2004 by Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, we are Los Angeles’ only professional ballet company and the largest professional dance company in Southern California. Mr. Christensen is internationally distinguished as having been the youngest Artistic Director in the history of the Royal Danish Ballet. Ms. Neary is former Prima Ballerina under George Balanchine at New York City Ballet and one of only 34 repetiteurs, worldwide, authorized by the Balanchine Trust to mount his work.

Los Angeles Ballet’s audiences come from across Los Angeles County and beyond, and represent 45% Euro-heritage communities, 20% Asian and Pacific Islander communities, 15% Latinx communities, 5% non-specified communities, and 15% African American communities – almost double the LA County African American constituency.

Distinguishing ourselves from the start, we premiered our first originally-choreographed Nutcracker in 2006, a critically acclaimed production that established the company as preeminent in the field. Imagined in 1912 Southern California to celebrate our then-new home, it set us apart artistically with stage design immersed in local scenery – a Spanish style home, calla lilies, snowy forests of the Sierras, and Venice archways framing a moonlit Pacific Ocean.

Our overall seasons offer widely diverse artistic and audience appeal, and we talk more about that below.

In 2020, the Dance Data Research Project named Los Angeles Ballet as #42 among 793 ballet companies in the US – putting us in the top 5% nationwide. For a young company with just over fifteen years engaging our communities, that recognition is exceptional.