Our History

Ballet Palm Beach began in 2001 as a small civic company, under the name Florida Classical Ballet Theatre. The aim was to give dance students in Palm Beach County the opportunity to perform in full-scale classical ballets through this new organization.

From 2001 to 2012 the company underwent incredible change in becoming a professional ballet company. Professional dancers and trainees were hired and lead the ranks of students as audience support continued to grow. Invaluable staff members were added one by one, first as volunteers and then as paid employees. These changes behind the scenes gave way to thrilling development on our stage, as our productions continued to see a rise in technique, expression, and popularity.

In 2013, Florida Classical Ballet Theatre became Ballet Palm Beach, a company of fifteen dancers: six student trainees and nine professionals. The name change symbolized a new era of productivity and twelve years of finding our footing in a wonderfully supported community.

Currently, Ballet Palm Beach performs three main stage performances each season. The company has welcomed guest choreographers including Christopher Huggins, Roger Van Fleteren, Gina Patterson, Dennis Nahat, Donna Murray, and repetiteurs from the Balanchine Trust. Artistic Director Colleen Smith has led the company in creative directions, choreographing numerous ballets throughout the years.