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Frequently Asked Questions

ABT Studio Company

I would like to see ABT Studio Company onstage. What performances are coming up?

Please see the Performances section of our webpage for a list of upcoming ABT Studio Company performances.

Visit ABT Studio Company’s Instagram or the ABT Studio Company section of ABT’s YouTube Channel for more digital content.

I am a presenter and am interested in engaging the Studio Company for a performance or tour. Whom should I speak to?

Presenters who are interested in engaging ABT Studio Company should contact the following:

For North America:  ABT Studio Company is represented by CAMI Music for bookings in North America. Please contact Theresa Vibberts at tvibberts@camimusic.com. Visit our CAMI page for more information.

For outside of North America: Please contact ABT Studio Company Managing Director Claire Florian at cflorian@abt.org to discuss international engagements.

How many dancers are in ABT Studio Company?

In a typical season, there are 12 dancers in ABT Studio Company. For more information about the current dancers, please visit the Current Dancers section of our webpage.

Do I have to go through the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School to be in ABT Studio Company?

It is not required that ABT Studio Company dancers go through the ABT JKO School. However, ABT JKO School dancers have first consideration for ABT Studio Company.

Does being in ABT Studio Company guarantee a spot in the main company of ABT?

No. However, approximately 75% of ABT Studio Company dancers over the past several years have gone on to apprenticeships with the ABT main Company. Nearly 80% of the current dancers in ABT have come through ABT Studio Company, including 14 Principal Dancers and 8 Soloists.

Are ABT Studio Company dancers paid?

ABT Studio Company dancers are each provided with a stipend and housing in Manhattan, plus per diem while on tour.

Where do ABT Studio Company dancers live?

ABT Studio Company dancers are provided with shared housing in a fully furnished dormitory located in Manhattan, approximately 15 minutes away from the ABT studios by subway. Dancers are supported by a live-in Resident Assistant. The dormitory provides access to common study, meeting, and lounge areas; a gym; shared kitchens; laundry facilities; and 24/7 security.

How can I audition for ABT Studio Company?

To learn more about auditioning for ABT Studio Company, please visit the auditions section of our webpage.

How old do I need to be in order to be considered for ABT Studio Company?

Ideally, auditioning dancers are between the ages of 17-20.

What kind of training do I need in order to be considered for ABT Studio Company?

Dancers taken into ABT Studio Company exhibit an advanced technical level in ballet and familiarity with other genres of dance.

Are international dancers eligible to audition for the Studio Company?

Yes, international dancers are eligible for ABT Studio Company on M-1 student visas. ABT covers any costs associated with the visa process and assists with visa arrangements.

What performance opportunities do ABT Studio Company dancers have?

ABT Studio Company dancers have frequent opportunities to perform onstage. Specific performance engagements vary from year to year. Every season, ABT Studio Company has its own performances in New York City and participates in ABT’s The Nutcracker. Additional performances include domestic and international tours, extended residencies, and educational performances for schools and community groups in New York and in tour cities.

Does ABT Studio Company perform with the main Company?

ABT Studio Company dancers perform The Nutcracker with the main Company, and are able to perform as supernumeraries during the Company’s season at the Metropolitan Opera House. ABT Studio Company has also performed at the Company’s galas.

For how many years can a dancer be with ABT Studio Company?

Dancers are typically in ABT Studio Company for 1-3 seasons. Every dancer’s path is different.

What kinds of adjunct classes are available to ABT Studio Company members?

Other than their regular technique classes, pas de deux, variations/pointe classes, and rehearsals, dancers in ABT Studio Company take classes in character, strength and conditioning, Pilates, acting, music, contemporary, choreography composition, and more.

What kinds of wellness services are provided for ABT Studio Company members?

ABT Studio Company members have access to in-house physical therapy services and weekly one-on-one Pilates sessions. Dancers have access to a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in working with dancers and access to a nutritionist. ABT Studio Company dancers also participate in a series of wellness workshops throughout the season. Topics explored include nutrition, injury prevention, stress management, mindfulness, and more.

How do ABT Studio Company dancers continue their academic educations?

While full-time training and rehearsal hours and the touring schedule do not permit ABT Studio Company dancers to attend traditional academic schools, many ABT Studio Company dancers pursue high school or college educations online or at local evening classes. ABT also facilitates supplemental academic tutoring for ABT Studio Company dancers who require additional help with their studies. English-as-a-second-language tutoring is also provided for dancers on an as-needed basis.