Make a Ballet

Make a Ballet Program

The centerpiece of American Ballet Theatre’s education and outreach initiatives is its award-winning Make a Ballet program. Helping to meet the need for arts education in underserved schools and communities, this model program also introduces students to all aspects of the creative and administrative theatrical experience.

Make a Ballet was first launched at The Frederick Douglass Academy in central Harlem in 1997, and is currently a presence in six area schools.

In addition to exposing students to classical dance and building future audiences, Make a Ballet emphasizes career opportunities in the arts, onstage and backstage, and also helps students develop valuable life skills.

Following the first year of participation, ABT and school staff continue to cultivate students’ skills and career interests by supervising independent projects, administrative internships at ABT, and other after-school enrichment activities.

Make a Ballet Performances

At year’s end, students present multiple performances of their original work. The first performance will take place at each school for the members of both the school and local community. Students will also perform excerpts of their final performance piece on the stage of The Metropolitan Opera House as part of American Ballet Theatre’s ABTKids: Schools. Tickets are complimentary for schools in the New York Metropolitan area.