Pacific Northwest Ballet

The Ballet
The Pacific Northwest Ballet aims to encourage innovative dance and choreography while providing Seattle with culturally enriching entertainment. The season contains over 100 performances from September to June and features a varied repertoire of classical and modern ballets. The 2008-2009 season is no exception, boasting 4 world premiere and 6 PNB premiere works plus classics such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

The Ballet performs in Marion Oliver McCaw Hall at the Seattle Center, sharing its home with the Seattle Opera. The 2,900-seat hall opened on June 28, 2003 after a large-scale renovation of the old Civic Auditorium that stood there since 1928. In addition to this spectacular venue, the Ballet also has its own large scene shop in Fremont and a 2,500 square foot costume shop to make most of the sets and costumes.

History
From its beginnings as the Pacific Northwest Dance Association in 1972, the Pacific Northwest Ballet has also steadily expanded its company, audience, and gamut. The company has 51 dancers and now reaches an audience of over 10,000 subscribers with additional single-ticket buyers. Current Artistic Director Peter Boal came to Pacific Northwest Ballet in 2005 with many years of experience as a dancer, teacher, and promoter of new works at the New York City Ballet. Since 2004 the Ballet has increased its focus on contemporary ballets through the annual Choreographers’ Showcase, a performance which highlights works by company dancers.

The Ballet Today
Pacific Northwest Ballet has a number of programs throughout the area that educate viewers and encourage dancers of all ages. The Pacific Northwest Ballet School, founded shortly after the Ballet in 1974, is one of the top three dance schools in the country. Over 900 students train at two locations, the Phelps Center in Seattle and the Francia Russell Center in Bellevue. The Dance Chance program seeks out talented young dancers and provides them with scholarships for classes along with free ballet tickets. The Ballet’s Education Program also encourages audiences to delve deeper into ballet through pre-performance lectures and Q&A sessions following each performance.

Pacific Northwest Ballet is dedicated not only to promoting ballet in the community but also to supporting its own dancers. Since 1999, the Second Stage program has provided grants, classes, and counseling to help dancers transition into careers after retiring from dance. The Phelps Center’s research library, one of the country’s largest dance literature collections, is a great resource for performers, students, and scholars. Books cover all facets of dance from health and nutrition to history and costume design. Full season or customized 4-show subscriptions are available in addition to single tickets. Complete Performance Schedule.