About Birmingham Ballet

Birmingham Ballet, founded in 1991, is a self-sustaining community arts organization. Our mission is to provide:

l high quality professionally

produced family entertainment

l a training ground for

talented aspiring youth through

performance opportunities.

l a performance outlet for

dance enthusiasts of all ages.

l professional quality training in a healthy environment

through Birmingham Ballet Academy.

The performing wing of Birmingham Ballet is a semi-professional company.

Productions include performing arts professionals, aspiring youth, and dance enthusiasts that hold careers in all walks of life. Semi-annual auditions are held for dancers from Birmingham and surrounding areas. From these auditions, a Senior Company, Junior Company and Community Cast are chosen. Together these dancers represent over 70 different academic schools and 30+ dancing schools as well as cities as far as Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Jasper, and Anniston. Birmingham Ballet’s annual The Nutcracker performed at the BJCC Concert Hall provides opportunity for 250+ dancers and draws some of the largest audiences for dance in Birmingham.

The Birmingham Ballet Academy is the Official School of the Birmingham Ballet. It provides training for beginning through advanced students. A skilled faculty shares many decades of combined experience and knowledge with students. Mature dancers and graduates are assisted with career planning and placement. Students of Birmingham Ballet Academy have received acceptance and scholarships to study at prestigious schools including American Ballet Theatre, School of American Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet School, Boston Ballet School, The Rock School for Dance Education, and Walnut Hill. College dance scholarships have been awarded to Birmingham Ballet Academy students from Birmingham-Southern College, University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and Florida State University.

Birmingham Ballet productions generate excitement that is contagious. Performances offer a refreshing blend of professional dancers joined by vibrant youth. Audiences look forward to the fast moving colorful productions that often include aerial ballet and captivating illusions. The company, directed by Cindy Free, first became known for its annual presentation of The Nutcracker which began at Samford University and now continues to grow at the BJCC. In 2001, the company introduced a second season with its premiere production of the ballet Peter Pan. In 2007, Birmingham Ballet premiered Hansel and Gretel.

In 2006, Birmingham Ballet began a commitment to Children’s Hospital of Birmingham. One dollar of every ticket sold to Birmingham Ballet’s The Nutcracker is contributed to Children’s Hospital.