Our History

The company was founded in February 2002 by Artistic Director Lynn Parkerson, the first of its kind in Brooklyn in more than 40 years. Brooklyn Ballet brings a contemporary vision to the treasured art form of ballet, with repertory and programs that revitalize and reimagine the classical form. Our mission is three-fold: to commit to artistic accomplishment, to educate, and to engage with the community.

The Ballet presents its company in an annual performance season in Brooklyn and has a professional dance school located in downtown Brooklyn. We also serve the community through educational outreach projects such as Take Ballet to the Streets (our outdoor performance series), and our in-school dance residencies Elevate, and Brooklyn Ballet in the Houses, and by providing low-cost space rentals and performance opportunities to New York City dance artists.

Brooklyn Ballet’s dedication to the community is wide-ranging.

In 2009, Brooklyn Ballet opened the doors to its first permanent home at The Schermerhorn, a residential development in downtown Brooklyn. Built and managed by Breaking Ground and the Entertainment Community Fund, the Schermerhorn provides supportive housing for artists of all disciplines. Our ground-level space provides Brooklyn Ballet with our own storefront dance studio, access to a 99 seat black box theatre, the Mark O’Donnell Theater dressing rooms, and administrative space.