Oregon Ballet Theatre is committed to sharing our passion for the expressive power of ballet, inspiring an enduring appreciation of dance, and connecting in meaningful ways to our community through excellence in performance, training and educational programs.
Located in the South Waterfront in Portland, Oregon - OBT is the largest professional ballet company in the state, employing nearly 200 people and attracting artists from around the globe with our reputation for excellence.The company is rooted in the traditions of classical ballet, with a repertoire that ranges from the great classics to premieres from some of the most exciting choreographic voices in the field today.
Located in the South Waterfront in Portland, Oregon - OBT is the largest professional ballet company in the state, employing nearly 200 people and attracting artists from around the globe with our reputation for excellence.The company is rooted in the traditions of classical ballet, with a repertoire that ranges from the great classics to premieres from some of the most exciting choreographic voices in the field today.
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Oregon Ballet Theatre was founded in 1989 as the result of a merger between Pacific Ballet Theatre, led by James Canfield, and Ballet Oregon, led by Dennis Spaight. Under the direction of Canfield, a former principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet and the company's first Artistic Director, OBT quickly developed a distinctive style and unique repertoire that grew to comprise over 80 ballets.
Welcome to our 2021/22 season as we rejoice in OBT's triumphant return to the stage. To celebrate, we have assembled a season of six incredible programs including many works from bold new choreographic voices you can explore HERE. This season will thrill, surprise, delight - and even stand your hair on end!
See the stars of tomorrow, today. The Oregon Ballet Theatre's annual On Stage performance showcases the artistry and technique of the OBT2 company dancers and the students of the OBT School. Many of our students go on to join professional companies. Here is an exciting chance to see them before they embark on their professional careers!
Oregon Ballet Theatre does not cancel performances due to weather except in the most severe of conditions. Unless otherwise noted on our website, the show will go on! We know that travel conditions can be dangerous for some guests.
Should you have concerns about being able to arrive at the theater safely due to the weather, please contact our box office at 503-222-5538 or by email at boxoffice@obt.org and we will gladly assist you with rescheduling your performance.Our box office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00AM - 4:30PM. Conditions are evaluated continually and the decision to cancel a performance would most likely occur on the day of the performance.
Should you have concerns about being able to arrive at the theater safely due to the weather, please contact our box office at 503-222-5538 or by email at boxoffice@obt.org and we will gladly assist you with rescheduling your performance.Our box office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00AM - 4:30PM. Conditions are evaluated continually and the decision to cancel a performance would most likely occur on the day of the performance.
OBT participates in Arts for All, a program which offers $5 tickets to anyone who receives food stamps (SNAP), has the Oregon Trail Card, and is an Oregon resident. Tickets available through Arts for All are located in the side boxes of both Keller Auditorium and Newmark Theatre for our regular season shows (except Annual School Performance).
Reviews (24)
Steve H.
Dec 12, 2021
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The method and process to enter the Nutcracker Suite at the Keller Auditorium was SO BROKEN that each family with CHILDREN UNDER 5 had to decide between FULL REFUND or SEE ONLY PART OF THE BALLET!
Crying children, flustered parents trying to explain this Grinch-like choice OBT demanded. Angry grandmothers seeking vengeance but denied by "it's the pandemic" excuses.
Why did OBT do this?
Crying children, flustered parents trying to explain this Grinch-like choice OBT demanded. Angry grandmothers seeking vengeance but denied by "it's the pandemic" excuses.
Why did OBT do this?
Kim G.
Jun 21, 2021
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No surprise that the creativity of the Oregon Ballet Theatre has expanded into how they will conduct live performances during these Covid-19 days. While always challenged with funding constraints, the pandemic took it to another level. With the warmer weather here and most people vaccinated, they will have performances at the, temporary outdoor theatre on the SE side of OMSI. It's right where the Tilikum Crossing meets the Eastbank Esplanade, on the Max and street car line. Brilliant!
This new venue is called the Jordan Schnitzer CARE Summerstage at OMSI museum campus and one of the first
This new venue is called the Jordan Schnitzer CARE Summerstage at OMSI museum campus and one of the first
Jason Nelson
Jan 03, 2020
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Rose D.
Dec 19, 2019
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We've only seen OBT perform once (so far!) for their performance of The Nutcracker at the Keller Auditorium recently, and it was a 5-star show they all put on. From the amazingly skilled dancers, both children and adults alike, the beautiful sets/backdrops, the gorgeous and fanciful costumes and their wonderful orchestra (we made sure to see a performance with the OBT orchestra there as well), we enjoyed the show immensely. Kudos for a fantastic performance by all!
Kirsten S.
Dec 09, 2019
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A favorite holiday tradition is OBT The Nutcracker at the Keller Auditorium each year. Sat in Orchestra Section D Row U this year, and Very pleased with the view from our seats. As Good as box seats, IMO. We purchased ornaments in the lobby and pre-ordered intermission drinks so we didn't wait in line. Unfortunately, the lines for ALL restrooms are terribly long and disappointing to waste time waiting when you'd rather be taking photos, shopping, and mingling. The 2019 production is my Favorite. Amazing dancing and choreography. The party scene and the sugar plum fairy duo were highlights
Lisa K.
Jun 08, 2019
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Love the innovative choreography and modern take on dance.
It's disappointing to see people knock OBT for the necessary changes to the performing arts due to funding constraints. To have an orchestra at every event, ticket prices would need to be far more expensive keeping many people from seeing a performance.
You might look into logistics before giving this Portland treasure a bad review that could impact funding even more.
It's disappointing to see people knock OBT for the necessary changes to the performing arts due to funding constraints. To have an orchestra at every event, ticket prices would need to be far more expensive keeping many people from seeing a performance.
You might look into logistics before giving this Portland treasure a bad review that could impact funding even more.
Joanmary G.
Aug 05, 2018
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Betts Grady
Dec 10, 2017
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Our daughter (advanced level, on point, in the career track an another company) has experienced a summer intensive that was anything but. We had heard rumors that the obt summer program tended to place dancers below their ability level and should have done more research. In the first day the instructor didn't even show up, that should have been warning enough. After three days of overly rudimentary instruction that left her wondering if some kind of joke was being played, she finally heard good news - dancers would be moved to more appropriate levels shortly. Days later and no dancers were moved
Joel K.
Oct 11, 2017
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Heather K.
Oct 08, 2017
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John L.
Oct 08, 2017
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Billy C.
Feb 19, 2017
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OBT. As a subscriber for a couple of years--having loved the ballet in SF, Chicago's Joffrey, and other dance groups--I loved some of your advent garde approaches. Your 2017 Swan Lake ending sucks. Without spoiling too much...you can't take away a key character no matter how negative and you can't take away the original intent of the ending no matter how painful--most alternate endings to Swan Lake do not do this. Life...and art is conflict and resolution, love lost, love won, all the good and bad experiences are what makes up the wonderful and bitter components of a soul. You took
Kristi T.
Dec 11, 2016
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I took my young daughter who loves ballet to see the nutcracker for the first time. Apparently OBT had instructed the staff at Keller auditorium to not allow people back to their seats if they live during the show. There are no signs or any communication to that effect until an usher tells you once you leave that you now can't go back in and you can instead sit in the very back corner when you come back. After spending a lot of money for good seats for her first show this was extremely upsetting considering little children have restroom emergencies and this is a show that is supposedly child
Lynnda Steenslid
Aug 02, 2016
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Last year I read an article in the Oregonian comparing the Portland and Seattle Nutcracker performances. While it said the Portland company was more experienced technically, the Seattle company had an exhilarating new set design. I contacted my Seattle cousins and said let's make plans to go. I was so disappointed in the abilities of the Seattle company, it left me empty and a little embarrassed to have built up my cousins expectations. For me the fanciful set design was flat and it detracted from the beautiful history of the ballet. The dancing was tired and uninspiring. I needed to erase that
Pat R.
Jan 05, 2016
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I took my 17 year old granddaughter to the Sunday, December 13th, afternoon performance of the Nutcracker as part of her Christmas celebration. We were most impressed with the entire performance & especially by the young lady that played the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Neither of us had been to the Nutcracker in several years, but I doubt we will ever go again because of how unhappy we were with the price we had paid for tickets & the (horrible) seats we had.
I purchased tickets through Groupon to try to save some money (RETIRED!). The ticket price with Groupon was advertised as
I purchased tickets through Groupon to try to save some money (RETIRED!). The ticket price with Groupon was advertised as
Ed C.
Dec 27, 2015
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It was my first Nutcracker attendance. The first Act was OK. But I enjoyed the second Act much better. My butt and back hurt from sitting through the first Act so I stood up for the most of 25 minute intermission to stretch muscles. The parking was only $6 for Saturday.
The guy behind me was wearing a Scottish kilt and it smelled like old urine in my area throughout the show. Terrible!!!! My wife and I could not quite focus on the show because of the smell!! I think he might have had bladder problem of some sort. Unfortunately, this is what we will remember about our first Nutcracker experience
The guy behind me was wearing a Scottish kilt and it smelled like old urine in my area throughout the show. Terrible!!!! My wife and I could not quite focus on the show because of the smell!! I think he might have had bladder problem of some sort. Unfortunately, this is what we will remember about our first Nutcracker experience
Ritu K.
Oct 12, 2015
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This is solely for the Nutcracker. Boo it was terrible. No live orchestra and really the beauty of the Nutcracker is Tchaikovsky's music. If there's no live music what's the point. The Nutcracker itself (if you're one of the few to have never seen it) is super boring in the first half. Just a bunch of kids and adults flitting around stage- no true dancing- really flitting is the best word. Once again- the music is gorgeous, but when its a recorded playback it just doesn't do the music justice. Once the dances started it was fine, but I would not see this without a live
Karenna Hall
Sep 10, 2015
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Mikhail H.
Dec 24, 2014
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Kay B.
Sep 05, 2013
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Kristi L.
Apr 17, 2013
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I took an adult Ballet 1 drop-in class this morning and had been anxious for a week before going. I danced until I was around 20, and had tried an adult class in my mid-20s and was utterly demoralized. So I was prepared to show up today, 17 years after my last ballet class, and be ostracized, quietly disdained, and overwhelmed.
To my immense joy, none of that was the case. There were some ballet corps members, but 3/4 were other adults in a true adult sense. I've continued to do Pilates and other exercise, so I wasn't coming in after years of inactivity. But I'd not taken actual
To my immense joy, none of that was the case. There were some ballet corps members, but 3/4 were other adults in a true adult sense. I've continued to do Pilates and other exercise, so I wasn't coming in after years of inactivity. But I'd not taken actual
Shanna C.
Jan 13, 2013
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"Swan Lake" is my favorite ballet, so whenever OBT puts on a production I see it. I've always been impressed with their dancer's technique and the staging is always well done.
OBT offers a "Pay Your Age" discount where if you call ahead of time you can pay the price for your ticket that matches with how old you are. So if you're 21 you pay $21. This discount is only for those who are up to the ages of the mid/late twenties though.
OBT has been struggling financially in the past few years, please try to help them out if you can!
OBT offers a "Pay Your Age" discount where if you call ahead of time you can pay the price for your ticket that matches with how old you are. So if you're 21 you pay $21. This discount is only for those who are up to the ages of the mid/late twenties though.
OBT has been struggling financially in the past few years, please try to help them out if you can!
Kate B.
Oct 13, 2008
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As a mother of a young ballerina, we had our first OBT experience with The Nutcracker last holiday season. The performance was really sweet and my daughter just loved it (even the scary parts). We have tickets for this year too.
This weekend we had the pleasure of seeing Swan Lake. What an amazing, stunning show. The sets were awesome, not over the top and not too understated. Useful and appropriate, I guess are the right words. The dancers were absolutely jaw dropping. I'll admit I haven't seen many professional ballet performances in my life (likely less than 10) but this really stood
This weekend we had the pleasure of seeing Swan Lake. What an amazing, stunning show. The sets were awesome, not over the top and not too understated. Useful and appropriate, I guess are the right words. The dancers were absolutely jaw dropping. I'll admit I haven't seen many professional ballet performances in my life (likely less than 10) but this really stood
Jodes L.
Oct 16, 2006
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