Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Premier Performing Arts Experience in Oakland
Founded in 1965, Oakland Ballet has been a cornerstone of the East Bay's cultural landscape for six decades. Our mission centers on making dance accessible, relevant, and exciting through performances that reflect the diversity of Oakland and surrounding communities. We specialize in classical and contemporary ballet, with signature productions like The Nutcracker and Luna Mexicana that celebrate cultural heritage. Our educational initiatives include in-school assemblies, free community performances, and scholarship programs that have nurtured generations of dancers. The company's artistic leadership includes renowned figures like Artistic Director Graham Lustig and Artist-in-Residence Phil Chan, whose work advances racial equity in dance.As a nonprofit organization, we rely on community support to sustain our programming, with ticket revenue covering only a fraction of production costs. Our commitment to social responsibility extends to initiatives like the Angel Island Project and partnerships with local institutions. The 60th anniversary season features special performances and the Dancing Moons Festival, highlighting Asian American Pacific Islander choreographers. We maintain rigorous health and safety protocols to protect patrons, performers, and staff while delivering world-class dance experiences.
Services
Ballet Performances
Summer Academy
In-School Assemblies
Community Outreach
Scholarship Programs
Details
- Year established: 1965
Highlights and features
- We have 60 years of experience as Oakland's premier ballet company
- Our productions reflect the cultural diversity of the East Bay community
- We offer educational programs reaching over 15,000 students annually
- We pioneered the country's first Asian American Pacific Islander ballet festival
- Our social responsibility initiatives advance racial equity in the arts
What people say
Cultural celebration
Educational excellence
Artistic innovation
Services
Ballet Performances
Our professional ballet productions feature classical works like The Nutcracker alongside contemporary pieces that celebrate cultural diversity. Each season includes signature events like Luna Mexicana and the Dancing Moons Festival, showcasing both established and emerging choreographers. Performances incorporate live orchestral accompaniment and community collaborations.
Summer Academy
This intensive summer program develops technical skills and artistic expression for aspiring dancers. Participants receive instruction from professional faculty while building performance experience through workshop presentations. The program includes scholarship opportunities to ensure accessibility for all interested students.
In-School Assemblies
Our Discover Dance program brings live ballet demonstrations to schools across the East Bay. These interactive assemblies introduce students to dance fundamentals while connecting performances to cultural heritage and historical contexts. The program includes free community performances and ticket donation initiatives.
People
Graham Lustig
Artistic Director
Internationally recognized choreographer with over 30 years of artistic leadership at Oakland Ballet. Known for reimagining classical works while championing contemporary creators. Holds a Royal Academy of Dance teaching certification and has received multiple arts advocacy awards.
Phil Chan
Artist-in-Residence
Award-winning choreographer and co-founder of Final Bow for Yellowface. Advocates for racial equity in ballet through his Resilience Initiative. Has created works for companies including New York City Ballet and Boston Ballet. Holds degrees from MIT and NYU.
Questions
How can I purchase authentic tickets?
Buy directly through our official website to avoid resellers. We offer current discounted prices and do not accept third-party tickets.
Are there student opportunities?
Yes! We offer scholarships, summer academy programs, and student auditions for The Nutcracker. Visit our Education section for details.
What community programs do you offer?
Our Discover Dance initiative includes in-school assemblies, free community performances, and ticket donations reaching over 15,000 students annually.
How do you support diversity in ballet?
Through initiatives like the Dancing Moons Festival (first Asian American Pacific Islander ballet program) and Phil Chan's Resilience Initiative for racial equity.
