Well in to its sixth decade,  American Ballet Theatre   is   recognized as one of the great dance companies in the world. Few ballet companies equal ABT for its combination of size, scope and outreach. Recognized as a living treasure since its founding in 1940, ABT annually tours the United States, performing for more than 600,000 people. It has made more than 15 international tours to 41 countries and has been sponsored by the United States State Department on many of these engagements.
When American Ballet Theatre was launched in the Autumn of 1939, the aim was to develop a repertoire of the best ballets from the past and to encourage the creation of new works by gifted young choreographers,wherever they might be found. Under the direction of Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith from 1940 to 1980, the Company more than fulfilled that aim. The repertoire, perhaps unmatched in the history of ballet, includes all of the great full-length ballets of the nineteenth century, the finest works from the early part of this century, and acclaimed contemporary masterpieces. In acquiring such an extraordinary repertoire, ABT has commissioned works by all of the great choreographic geniuses of the 20th century: George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille and Twyla Tharp, among others.

In 1980, Mikhail Baryshnikov became Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre, succeeding Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith. Under his leadership, numerous classical ballets were staged, restaged and refurbished, and the Company experienced a strengthening and refining of the classical tradition. In 1990, Jane Hermann and Oliver Smith succeeded Mr. Baryshnikov as Directors with a goal of maintaining the great traditions of the past while aggressively pursuing a vital and innovative future. In keeping with the Company's long-standing commitment to bringing the finest in dance to the widest international audience, ABT has recently enjoyed triumphant success in Tokyo, London, Paris, Madrid, and Palermo, Italy.

In October, 1992, former American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Kevin McKenzie was appointed Artistic Director. Mr. McKenzie, steadfast in his vision of ABT as "American," is committed to maintaining the Company's vast repertoire, and to bringing the magic of dance to the great stages of the world.

Nina Ananiashvili
Julie Kent
Julio Bocca
Maxim Belotserkovsky
Victor Barbee

To know more information about performances, tours and repertoire, please, visit official site of
American Ballet Theatre

Mikhail Baryshnikov,
Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre