The Mendocino Ballet is the official dance company for Mendocino County, California, USA. It consists of two main parts, the Mendocino Ballet Company formed in 1984, and the Mendocino Ballet School formed in 2001 as a

classical ballet Classical ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as pointe work, turnout of the legs, and high extensions), its ...

school. Mendocino Ballet received its non-profit corporation status in 1985. It is the only dance program in the area with classical ballet as its foundation. The Mendocino Ballet performs at the Mendocino's center theater. The company puts on two shows per year: a production of ''

The Nutcracker ''The Nutcracker'' ( rus, Щелкунчик, Shchelkunchik, links=no ) is an 1892 two-act ballet (""; russian: балет-феерия, link=no, ), originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaiko ...

'' and a ballet of the director's choice in the spring. Founded by Mary Knight Morris, the company was passed over to the present director Trudy McCreanor, thus making the Mendocino Ballet Company. Since then, the company has been involved in many cultural exchange programs with companies from

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

. The company has also taken part in numerous dance festivals across the country, such as Regional Dance America, under the direction of Knight and McCreanor. Mendocino Ballet has produced many students that go on to professional dance careers. Students are given the opportunity to audition for summer programs for world-renowned companies such as

American Ballet Theatre American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is a classical ballet company based in New York City. Founded in 1939 by Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant, it is recognized as one of the world's leading classical ballet companies. Through 2019, it had an annual ei ...

and the

San Francisco Ballet San Francisco Ballet is the oldest ballet company in the United States, founded in 1933 as the San Francisco Opera Ballet under the leadership of ballet master Adolph Bolm. The company is currently based in the War Memorial Opera House, San Franc ...

References

External links

Mendocino Ballet
official website

Facebook page {{DEFAULTSORT:Mendocino Ballet Dance in California Companies based in Mendocino County, California 1984 establishments in California Performing groups established in 1984 Ukiah, California Ballet companies in the United States