Why go
The company’s repertoire and educational work reveal a different side of Austin’s performing arts. The Nutcracker connects professional dancers with academy students, while works by choreographers such as Stephen Mills broaden the picture beyond a single familiar production. A performance is the clearest way to encounter the company’s artistic identity.
The full story
Ballet Austin’s identity extends from the stage into training. Its academy has taught dancers from early movement classes through advanced study, with students taking part in The Nutcracker. That relationship makes the production part of an educational tradition as well as a theatrical one. The apprentice company, Ballet Austin II, was established in 1999 to help advanced young dancers develop toward professional work. The Butler Community School, founded in 2007, widened the educational scope beyond classical ballet. Its history includes styles such as modern dance, hip-hop and musical theater, alongside fitness and movement programs. The Butler Dance Education Center at Third and San Antonio Streets placed studios, administration and the AustinVentures StudioTheater within downtown’s arts landscape. These strands explain why the name refers to more than a troupe appearing for one evening. They also distinguish the company from a particular building: the venue for a performance depends on the production.
Useful to know
- Choose a production first and confirm its performance venue.