New York Theatre Ballet

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New York Theatre Ballet (http://www.nytb.org) was founded in 1978 by its artistic director, Diana Byer. Dedicated to the principles of the Cecchetti-Diaghilev tradition, the company both reprises classic masterworks and produces original ballets.

The roster of New York Theatre Ballet includes choreographers Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, August Bournonville, Michel Fokine, John Taras, Antony Tudor, and other legendary artists. The company tours its family and adult programs both nationally and abroad, and has become the most widely seen chamber ballet company in the United States.

MISSION | Dedicated to the principles of the Cecchetti-Diaghilev tradition, New York Theatre Ballet revives classic masterworks while also nurturing and producing new ballets.

OVERVIEW | New York Theatre Ballet was founded in 1978 by its artistic director, Diana Byer. It is the most widely seen chamber ballet company in the United States. Hailed by Jennifer Dunning of The New York Times as "a discreet little pearl in the oyster of New York dance," NYTB has earned acclaim for its restoration and revival of small masterworks by great choreographers and for its innovative ballets based on children's literature.

NYTB tours its family and adult programs both nationally and abroad, and it operates the nationally-recognized, pioneering LIFT Community Service Program. Its audiences know the Company for its theatrical expressiveness, high production quality, excellent technique, and accessibility. Its aesthetic roots are in the Cecchetti-Diaghilev tradition of the Ballet Russe. The world-renowned teacher and ballet mistress Margaret Craske, brought to the United States by the great choreographer Antony Tudor, passed this tradition on to NYTB.

HISTORY | For nearly 30 years, NYTB has produced for adult audiences dozens of contemporary ballets and classic masterworks. Its roster includes choreographers Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Auguste Bournonville, William Dollar, Michel Fokine, John Taras, Antony Tudor, and other legendary artists. During the 2006-07 season, as a 100th birthday tribute to her, it presented a special program of ballets choreographed by Agnes de Mille, including original dances from Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, Okahoma!, and Carousel. In August of 2007, NYTB performed its A. de Mille Celebration at the Inside/Out Festival at Jacob's Pillow. The Company will return to Jacob's Pillow on July 2, 2008 to perform its Signatures 08: A Celebration of Legends & Visionaries program.