American Repertory Ballet is a professional ballet company located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. American Repertory Ballet’s mission is to bring the joy, beauty, artistry and discipline of classical and contemporary dance to New Jersey and nationwide audiences and to dance students through artistic and educational programs. The organization is comprised of the following: American Repertory Ballet professional company, the preeminent classical and contemporary ballet company in the state; Princeton Ballet School, one of the largest and most respected non-profit dance schools in the nation; and ARB’s Access & Enrichment initiatives, including the long-running and acclaimed DANCE POWER program.
The company is a classical and contemporary ballet company committed to presenting ballets from the 19th and 20th centuries alongside new and existing works by choreographers from today.
History of American Repertory Ballet
Princeton Ballet School was founded by Audrée Estey in 1954 as the Princeton Ballet Society. In 1963, Ms. Estey established the Princeton Regional Ballet Company. The company became the professional Princeton Ballet Company in 1978 and quickly grew into a vital company. In 1982, upon Audrée Estey's retirement, Judith Leviton was named Director of Princeton Ballet. In 1986, Burke was named Artistic Director of Princeton Ballet Company and Mary Pat Robertson was named School Director. In 1990, the company was renamed American Repertory Ballet and in 1995-1996, the Garden State Ballet was merged into the organization.
Marjorie Mussman served as Artistic Director of the Company in 1992 before Septime Webre was named to the position in 1993. From 1999-2010, the company was under the artistic direction of Graham Lustig.
In May 2010 Douglas Martin was named Director of the Company.Â
Artistic Director Douglas Martin
Douglas Martin started his ballet training with Dimitri Romanoff at the San Jose Ballet School and was one of six dancers selected by Mikhail Baryshnikov to study in the newly-formed American Ballet Theatre School. He was invited to join the Joffrey Ballet in 1984 where, as a principal dancer. He was among the last dancers of the Joffrey Ballet to spend the majority of his career in the company working under founder Robert Joffrey. Martin joined the Cleveland Ballet in 1991. In 1993, Martin was invited to join the American Repertory Ballet. As leading dancer and Ballet Master for ARB, Martin collaborated with directors in creating ballets, including productions as the original cast lead in Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Dream and The Nutcracker. Martin continued to be a principal dancer in the company as well as Ballet Master for ARB and ARBW and Principal Faculty for the Summer Intensive until his retirement from performing in 2002.
After retiring from ARB as a performer, Martin expanded his teaching, production and choreographic work. In 2010, Mr. Martin became Artistic Director of American Repertory Ballet. He has premiered a new production of Nutcracker, choreographed several new works including Ephemeral Possessions, Pathways, Rite of Spring, Firebird, and a full-length Romeo and Juliet, and has commissioned 21 new works for the company, including 14 world premieres.
Princeton Ballet School
Princeton Ballet School is the Official School of the American Repertory Ballet. Founded in 1954 by Audrée Estey, Princeton Ballet School is one of the nation’s finest non-profit dance schools.The school offers many performance opportunities to its students. As the official school of the American Repertory Ballet, students have the opportunity to audition to perform with the company in its annual production of The Nutcracker in theaters throughout New Jersey. At the end of the school year, students may participate in a school production of a classical ballet.
The company is a classical and contemporary ballet company committed to presenting ballets from the 19th and 20th centuries alongside new and existing works by choreographers from today.
History of American Repertory Ballet
Princeton Ballet School was founded by Audrée Estey in 1954 as the Princeton Ballet Society. In 1963, Ms. Estey established the Princeton Regional Ballet Company. The company became the professional Princeton Ballet Company in 1978 and quickly grew into a vital company. In 1982, upon Audrée Estey's retirement, Judith Leviton was named Director of Princeton Ballet. In 1986, Burke was named Artistic Director of Princeton Ballet Company and Mary Pat Robertson was named School Director. In 1990, the company was renamed American Repertory Ballet and in 1995-1996, the Garden State Ballet was merged into the organization.
Marjorie Mussman served as Artistic Director of the Company in 1992 before Septime Webre was named to the position in 1993. From 1999-2010, the company was under the artistic direction of Graham Lustig.
In May 2010 Douglas Martin was named Director of the Company.Â
Artistic Director Douglas Martin
Douglas Martin started his ballet training with Dimitri Romanoff at the San Jose Ballet School and was one of six dancers selected by Mikhail Baryshnikov to study in the newly-formed American Ballet Theatre School. He was invited to join the Joffrey Ballet in 1984 where, as a principal dancer. He was among the last dancers of the Joffrey Ballet to spend the majority of his career in the company working under founder Robert Joffrey. Martin joined the Cleveland Ballet in 1991. In 1993, Martin was invited to join the American Repertory Ballet. As leading dancer and Ballet Master for ARB, Martin collaborated with directors in creating ballets, including productions as the original cast lead in Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Dream and The Nutcracker. Martin continued to be a principal dancer in the company as well as Ballet Master for ARB and ARBW and Principal Faculty for the Summer Intensive until his retirement from performing in 2002.
After retiring from ARB as a performer, Martin expanded his teaching, production and choreographic work. In 2010, Mr. Martin became Artistic Director of American Repertory Ballet. He has premiered a new production of Nutcracker, choreographed several new works including Ephemeral Possessions, Pathways, Rite of Spring, Firebird, and a full-length Romeo and Juliet, and has commissioned 21 new works for the company, including 14 world premieres.
Princeton Ballet School
Princeton Ballet School is the Official School of the American Repertory Ballet. Founded in 1954 by Audrée Estey, Princeton Ballet School is one of the nation’s finest non-profit dance schools.The school offers many performance opportunities to its students. As the official school of the American Repertory Ballet, students have the opportunity to audition to perform with the company in its annual production of The Nutcracker in theaters throughout New Jersey. At the end of the school year, students may participate in a school production of a classical ballet.
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