making. moving. art.

Mission

Louisville Ballet makes moving art that respects tradition, encourages innovation, and fosters life-long learning. We inspire connection, conversation and a profound sense of community, by striving for bold collaborations, by nurturing the next generation of artists, by celebrating diversity, and by creating access for all.

History

Louisville Ballet, led by Chief Executive Officer Leslie Smart and Artistic Directors Mikelle Bruzina and Harald Uwe Kern, is an evolved but accessible ballet company committed to boldly and beautifully communicating artistic stories both classic and new. We exist to move, to evoke emotion, to provoke thought, and to challenge perceptions. We are artists, athletes, activists, inventors, and inspirers. Louisville Ballet has been one of the nation’s leading regional ballet companies since 1952. As the Official State Ballet of Kentucky, Louisville Ballet has worked with some of ballet’s brightest lights including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Twyla Tharp, and Wendy Whelan, performed for tens of thousands of people and reached over 20,000 school children throughout the commonwealth with educational programs annually.

Contribute

When you give to Louisville Ballet, you’ll help us make a visible and tangible impact on communities statewide, partnering with internationally known choreographers, and programming ambitious works that establish us as a world-class jewel in Louisville’s crown.

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Staff

Leadership Team

Leslie Smart, CFRE

Chief Executive Officer

Regan Nichols

Chief Marketing + Development Officer

Christy Corbitt Krieger

Director of The Louisville Ballet School

Stacey Blakeman

Director of Community Engagement
Production Staff

Tara Simoncic

Music Director

Kathleen Kronauer

Production + Operations Manager

Jesse AlFord

Resident Lighting Designer

Brittney Tassin

Technical Director

OPEN

Stage Manager

Molly Duke

Costume Director

Joei Baldwin

Costume Shop Assistant

Javan Roy-Bachman

Facilities Manager
Administrative Staff

Ann Marciano

Director of Advancement + Special Events

Debbie Berry

Executive Assistant + Board Liaison

Hallie Beard

Content + Marketing Coordinator

Kateryna Sellers

Advancement Coordinator
Community Engagement Staff

Amy Haley

Community Engagement Manager

Molly Kays

Adaptive Dance Program Manager
Sales + Patron Services Staff

Elizabeth Matthews

Manager of Sales + Patron Services

Emily Vergason

Manager of Ticketing Operations

John Aurelius

Patron Service Coordinator
The Louisville Ballet School

Christy Corbitt Krieger

Director
The Louisville Ballet School

Tara Gardner

Registration + Enrollment Manager
The Louisville Ballet School

Amanda Rollins

Lower School Principal
The Louisville Ballet School

2023/2024 STUDIO COMPANY DANCERS

LEVEL 10 | From left to right, back row: Tarique Logan, Ruthanna Dalby, Claire Schoellerman, Gabrielle Savka, Samantha Schuermann, Claire Churchill, McKenna Hoek.
LEVEL 9 | Front row: Mackenzie Wandel, Elizabeth Hines, Shayda Honda, Hope Farrar, Paige Riffer, Chloe Puffer, Adrah Cook, Ezra Paisley


LEVEL 8 | From left to right, back row: Ella Feleay, Ida Soranno, Caleb Emory, Danika McNees, Gaven Stevens, Ava Ownby, Sameer Rhodes, Emmaline Fontanilla, Victoria Saboura.
LEVEL 7 | Middle row: Sarah Hutchison (standing), Jessica Bealer, Natalie Schreiner, Marissa Soluri, Andrey Obolonchik, Emi Makimura, Gwyneth Holliday, Abby Burnette, Kirsten Smerud (standing). Front row: Brad Delaney, Ava Dhira Metzger, Abigail Wyrrick, Guinevere Nelson, Desmond Atrostic

About the Studio Company

Louisville Ballet Studio Company, formerly known as the Trainee Program, is a tuition-free program designed to provide professional caliber training in technique and artistry in preparation for a professional career in classical ballet and versatility in various derivative styles.  Our goal is to further an aspiring dancer’s education and aid in the aspirations of gaining professional employment by providing the opportunity to experience work in a fully professional company environment.

Louisville Ballet Studio Company is a 4-year program forming Levels 7, 8, 9 and 10 – a post-secondary extension of the Pre-Professional Program at The Louisville Ballet School. These emerging artists are truly the bridge between the School and Company.

To be considered for Louisville Ballet Studio Company, a dancer should attend a company audition.

Those interested in learning more about Louisville Ballet Studio Company, or for performance bookings, please contact ccorbitt@louisvilleballet.org

LEARN MORE >

 

Auditions

Thank you for your interest in Louisville Ballet! Auditions for the 2024-2025 season are now closed. Check back in Spring 2025 for audition information for the 2025-2026 season. 

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Careers

Thank you for your interest in being part of Louisville Ballet. We are a talented team of professionals committed to making. moving. art. in our community and beyond.

Louisville Ballet is hiring seasonal Box Office support. Apply on LinkedIn.

 

Board of Directors

PRESIDENT

Ralph de Chabert

VICE PRESIDENT

Pamela Thompson

TREASURER

James E. Haynes**

SECRETARY

Matthew E. Hamel

BOARD MEMBERS
 

Erica Bachelor

Lisa Biddle-Puffer

Kim Boland, MD

Tanya Bowman

Tiffany Bridgewater

Mikelle Bruzina*

Lindy Casebier*

Carolle Jones Clay

Toni Clem

 

* Ex Officio

** Former President

 

 

Janet M. DenUyl

Lee Dorsey

Sherry M. Feldpausch

Mayor Craig Greenberg*

Chris Hartman

Johanna G. Howard

Alan Kamei

Harald Uwe Kern*

 

 

 

 

 

Karen Koshewa*

Allison O’Grady

Steve Poe

Sharon Potter

Shahara Ross*

Ellen Hirsch Shapira

K. Shaver

Leslie Smart*

 

 

 

 

John A. Stough, Jr.

William Strench

Carl Thomas

James R. Voyles

Donald G. Wenzel Jr.

Martha Wertz

Donald Whitfield

Buck Wiseman

 

state advisory council – congressional district representation
1st district

Ashli Watts

2nd district

OPEN

3rd district

Chris McGarvey

4th district

Tara Johnson Noem

 

5th district

The Honorable Suzie Razmus

 

 

6th district

Ben Haydon

 

 

 

 

HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS
 

Lee Purcell Best

Shirley Dumesnil

Peggy Fowler

Alexandra Gerassimides, MD

 

Paula Grisanti

Marlene Grissom

Susan Grubbs

Beth Klein

 

Nancy Martin

The late Phil Payne

D. Patton Pelfrey

 

 

Barbara Sexton Smith

Larry J. Steinberg

Margy Thomas

 

 

Rentals

Louisville Ballet currently has a large inventory of full-scale story ballets and contemporary one-of-a-kind pieces available for rent. Available rentals range from complete productions to dramatic drops, costumes or simple scenic elements. Please contact Kathleen Kronauer at kkronauer@louisvilleballet.org or 502.583.3150 x 230 for more information.

Contact Us

Box Office

(502) 583-2623
boxoffice@louisvilleballet.org

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10:00am – 6:00pm

TICKET DONATION REQUEST >

Administration

Tel. (502) 583-3150
Fax (502) 583-0006
info@louisvilleballet.org

Studio & Office

315 E. Main St.
Louisville, KY 40202

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