The Washington Ballet

Celebrating its 75th year as an organization, The Washington Ballet grew out of the success of The Washington School of Ballet, founded and directed for years by legendary dance pioneer Mary Day. The School opened in 1944 and the Company was established in 1976 with Ms. Day’s singular vision clearly illuminated: to create a stellar institution of teaching, creating, and enlightenment through dance. TWB’s three-part mission: ensuring excellence in its professional performance company; growing the next generation of dancers through its school, professional training division, and Studio Company; and serving the community in which it resides through community engagement programs will continue to propel TWB to a more prominent place within the nation’s capital and beyond.

TWB has served as an exemplary company in welcoming dancers of color and their families through an integrated faculty and company. Towards this end, prior artistic director Septime Webre initiated activity for TWB@THEARC, community engagement programs housed at the Townhall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) in SE Washington, DC. The programs include The Washington School of Ballet’s Southeast Campus, the DanceDC program, and DanceDC Merit Scholarships. These programs have served over 70,000 children and thousands of adults since their inception in 1999.Mission Statement

The mission of The Washington Ballet is:

• to bring the joy and artistry of dance to the nation’s capital and the world’s stage through the professional presentation of the best in classical and contemporary ballet;
• to provide the highest caliber of dance training through a preeminent school of ballet;
• and to serve and involve the entire community through extensive dance education and outreach programs.