From Lester Horton and the First Negro Classic Ballet to fibre-optic costumes, L.A.’s ballet scene is a force to be reckoned with.
Los Angeles ballet history is a resilient cycle of reinvention, evolving from a training ground for Hollywood and Ballet Russe legends into a hub for social progress. While early pioneers like Lester Horton and the First Negro Classic Ballet broke racial barriers, the city famously struggled for decades to sustain a permanent flagship company. Today, the modern Los Angeles Ballet and American Contemporary Ballet have finally stabilized the scene and it’s thriving like never before. You can even watch ballet shows that use fibre-optic costumes to illuminate the performance.
The Music Center, Bunker Hill
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The Music Center is the city’s premier ballet destination due to its world-class Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. This venue is specifically designed for grand-scale productions, offering the expansive stage and elite acoustics necessary for top-tier companies like American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet. Between its prestigious Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance series and its iconic Bunker Hill location, it provides an unparalleled, sophisticated atmosphere for experiencing classical dance.
Historic Glendale Theater, Glendale
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The Nocturne Theatre, also known as the Historic Glendale Theater, is a unique venue for ballet due to its intimate, circular auditorium that brings the audience incredibly close to the performers. It currently hosts the innovative Ballet of Lights, a production that utilizes fiber-optic, glow-in-the-dark costumes and modern technology to reimagine classical dance. The theater’s cozy setting and specialized lighting capabilities make it a perfect spot for immersive, family-friendly performances.
Ahmanson Theatre, Bunker Hill
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While it is renowned for hosting major Broadway tours, its versatile proscenium stage and 2,000-seat configuration make it a premier venue for large-scale ballet. It serves as a key home for the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance series and significant local milestones, such as the Los Angeles Ballet’s 20th-anniversary season. Its deep stage and state-of-the-art technical capabilities allow for the intricate sets and dramatic lighting required for haunting classics like Giselle, offering a sophisticated, high-production experience for dance enthusiasts.
Royce Hall, Westwood
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This stunning Romanesque-style theater is a regular home for the Los Angeles Ballet and has hosted legendary dance icons like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Twyla Tharp. With its 1,800-seat capacity and world-renowned acoustics, it provides a grand, historic stage that perfectly complements the athleticism of classical ballet. Its location on the UCLA campus makes it a favorite for those seeking a prestigious, academic-infused cultural experience on the Westside.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage, Santa Monica
This 499-seat theater is widely considered one of the most prestigious mid-sized venues in Southern California, offering an intimate yet technologically advanced space that is a favorite for elite touring dance companies and smaller-scale classical ballet productions.