The Sarasota Ballet was founded in 1987 by Jean Weidner Goldstein as a presenting organization with the goal of becoming a full resident ballet company, which was achieved in 1990 with the appointment of the Company's first Director, Montreal-based choreographer Eddy Toussaint.
Integrating the dancers of his existing ballet company, The Ballet de Montral Eddy Toussaint, into the emerging Company, Toussaint launched The Sarasota Ballet with much of his own choreographic work, such as his Florida Suite and Cantates.Additionally, together with Goldstein, he oversaw the first students of Dance - The Next Generation, the Company's celebrated and fully scholarshipped program for at-risk children.
Integrating the dancers of his existing ballet company, The Ballet de Montral Eddy Toussaint, into the emerging Company, Toussaint launched The Sarasota Ballet with much of his own choreographic work, such as his Florida Suite and Cantates.Additionally, together with Goldstein, he oversaw the first students of Dance - The Next Generation, the Company's celebrated and fully scholarshipped program for at-risk children.
Services
The Sarasota Ballet enters our 30th Anniversary Season with an exciting repertoire. Director Iain Webb has brought The Company unprecedented national and international acclaim. Gerald Dowler of the Financial Times London said, "Webb and his (Assistant Director) wife Margaret Barbieri have, in a few years, given this small American company the world's most extensive active Ashton repertoire."
The Sarasota Ballet's administrative team implements the day-to-day operations, which includes all of the functions to support the professional Company. This staff manages donor relations, events, sales, marketing, payroll, accounting and Company management. This small but stellar team is dedicated to delivering a high level of customer service and excellence in all areas.
The Sarasota Ballet is proud to have added 163 ballets and divertissements under Iain Webb's direction through the 2021 - 2022 Season, including 43 world premieres and 7 American premieres.
We have presented works by some of the leading choreographers of the past and present, including Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Sir David Bintley, Sir Matthew Bourne, Agnes de Mille, Dame Ninette de Valois, Michel Fokine, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Will Tuckett, Antony Tudor, Christopher Wheeldon, and many more.
We have presented works by some of the leading choreographers of the past and present, including Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Sir David Bintley, Sir Matthew Bourne, Agnes de Mille, Dame Ninette de Valois, Michel Fokine, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Will Tuckett, Antony Tudor, Christopher Wheeldon, and many more.
The Board of Trustees of The Sarasota Ballet, under the leadership of Chair Richard Johnson, diligently oversees the governance of the organization and is committed to the mission and vision of The Sarasota Ballet. Mission Statement: We enrich lives, captivate emotions and strengthen community through the art of dance.
Auditions for the 2021 - 2022 Season are now closed and we will not be considering any further applications. Over the past decade The Sarasota Ballet has earned its place among the leading ballet companies in America, with rave reviews in some of the most well-respected dance publications and invitations to some of the most prestigious dance venues across the country.
Reviews (3)
Hope H.
Oct 23, 2021
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I had an absolutely marvelous time seeing the Sarasota Ballet's season opener performance featuring Martha Graham's "Appalachian Spring" and Ricardo Graziano's "Sonatina". The soloists were all wonderful but I was particularly impressed by their corps de ballet. They danced in perfect unison and with very clean technique - not a missed fifth position in sight! FSU theater was a marvelous performing venue as well and the staff were very welcoming and helpful.
Overall a wonderful experience!
Overall a wonderful experience!
Melissa D.
Nov 28, 2014
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This is my daughter's second year at the Sarasota Ballet School. She is 7, and absolutely loves going! The woman who is now running the children's division is wonderful! She often asks parents for their opinions when appropriate, communicates very well, and the kids all seem to love her! She is definitely an advocate for our children within the ballet company, and works to provide unique opportunities such as meeting the professional dancers after certain shows. The only reason that I gave this company 4 stars is because the studio for the children is a little less than ideal, being
Lexi C.
Feb 22, 2012
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