Los Angeles has a vibrant and evolving ballet scene, marked by a history of both struggle and innovation. From its origins as a training ground for performers and a space for breaking racial barriers with pioneers like Lester Horton and the First Negro Classic Ballet, the city has worked to establish a stable foundation for ballet companies. Today, the Los Angeles Ballet and American Contemporary Ballet are contributing to a thriving environment, with performances even incorporating modern technologies like fibre-optic costumes.
Key Venues for Ballet in Los Angeles
Several venues contribute to the richness of Los Angeles’ ballet landscape. The Music Center, located in Bunker Hill, is considered the city’s premier ballet destination due to its world-class Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The venue’s expansive stage and elite acoustics are well-suited for performances by companies like American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet, and it hosts the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance series.
The Historic Glendale Theater, also known as the Nocturne Theatre, offers a more intimate experience with its circular auditorium. It currently hosts Ballet of Lights, a production that utilizes fiber-optic and glow-in-the-dark costumes.
The Ahmanson Theatre, while known for Broadway tours, also serves as a venue for large-scale ballet productions, including performances by the Los Angeles Ballet during its 20th-anniversary season. The venue’s 2,000-seat capacity and state-of-the-art technology support elaborate sets and lighting for productions like Giselle.
Royce Hall in Westwood is a regular home for the Los Angeles Ballet and has hosted renowned dancers such as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Twyla Tharp. The 1,800-seat Romanesque-style theater provides excellent acoustics.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica is considered a prestigious mid-sized venue, offering an intimate and technologically advanced space for both touring companies and smaller-scale productions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes The Music Center a premier ballet destination?
The Music Center is considered the city’s premier ballet destination due to its world-class Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, which offers an expansive stage and elite acoustics suitable for top-tier companies.
What is unique about the Historic Glendale Theater?
The Historic Glendale Theater, also known as the Nocturne Theatre, is unique due to its intimate, circular auditorium and its hosting of the innovative Ballet of Lights production, which utilizes fiber-optic costumes.
What types of performances does the Ahmanson Theatre host?
While renowned for Broadway tours, the Ahmanson Theatre also hosts large-scale ballet productions, including performances from the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance series and milestones like the Los Angeles Ballet’s 20th-anniversary season.
As Los Angeles continues to cultivate its ballet scene, will these venues continue to adapt and innovate to meet the evolving needs of both performers and audiences?
