About us

hbtlogoFounded in 1991 in Port Jefferson, New York, Harbor Ballet Theatre is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation whose mission is to bring professional-caliber dance productions to the community as well as to economically under-served children. The organization produces several productions each year, including "The Nutcracker", which is performed annually during the first weekend in December, and "Peter and the Wolf" which is performed in the spring for elementary schools. Harbor Ballet Theatre also conducts an intensive workshop over the summer where the children are given classes in several different styles of dance and are exposed to many aspects of the fine arts.
"The Nutcracker" is the cornerstone of our company's productions. Dancers from all over Suffolk County join us each year to make "The Nutcracker" one of the best productions on Long Island. We have been able to create a wonderful relationship with some of the dancers from New York City Ballet having them join us as our lead dancers for several of the past years, including Kipling Houston, Kurt Froman, Adam Hendrickson and Deanna McBrearty. Our production was designed by internationally-acclaimed production designer Daniel C. Nyiri and our costumes were designed by Metropolitan Opera designer Jose Coronado. All of these things combined give the children in our area the chance to be part of a part of a professional production and to learn from the very best in the business.
Harbor Ballet Theatre is a BOCES approved organization, which means that as an educational company we are asked to bring our productions to the elementary schools. Harbor Ballet Theatre has taken our two touring shows to schools across Suffolk County for the last 14 years. We take a condensed version of "The Nutcracker" and a full version of "Peter and the Wolf" allowing children in lower-income areas the opportunity to experience the art of ballet.
Our summer intensive program gives the children who are seriously considering dance as a career the opportunity to advance at a faster rate. During the six-week program, they are given daily classes in ballet as well as other disciplines of dance. They are taken into the city to take classes with their peers and professionals side by side. They are also given the opportunity to see the what can be achieved if they really apply themselves by going to American Ballet Theater and Broadway shows. Many of our younger students now have the option of going to other summer programs because of the work they have done here. These include Pittsburgh Ballet, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet and Burklyn Ballet plus many others.
We hope to continue our efforts to keep the art of ballet and all of the fine arts thriving in our community and to expose the children in our area to the joys and benefits of a healthy and active artistic life style.
If you have any questions or want to get involved please don't hesitate to Contact us.

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