BALLET PALM BEACH, INC.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA

Ballet Palm Beach, Inc., a renowned Florida-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) professional ballet company, was founded by Artistic Director Colleen Smith in 2001. This organization is committed to the preservation and proliferation of classical ballet, fostering new artistic visions in choreography, and supporting the next generation through dance education. Ballet Palm Beach serves as the premier ballet ensemble for Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast region. The company actively enriches local communities and beyond via extensive outreach initiatives and community performances. Located in Palm Beach Gardens, its school, Ballet Palm Beach Academy, offers classes starting at age 3. Initially established under the name Florida Classical Ballet Theatre, the organization provided students in Palm Beach County with a platform to perform full-scale classical ballets. Over its first decade (2001-2012), it underwent significant transformations, from cultivating professional dancers and trainees who took key roles previously held by peers, to gaining increased audience engagement. This phase also saw strategic staffing growth, moving volunteers to paid positions, which bolstered the company's operational capabilities. In 2013, a transformative era began upon changing its name to Ballet Palm Beach. This change marked a shift in operations with a composition of fifteen dancers: six student trainees and nine professionals. The evolution since then has included hosting guest choreographers such as Leslie Peck of the Balanchine Trust and Roger Van Fleteren from Alabama Ballet, alongside Artistic Director Colleen Smith's noteworthy contributions—having created five original full-length ballets inspired by literature. With its inception rooted in community support and an unwavering commitment to artistic excellence, Ballet Palm Beach continues to thrive as a vital cultural entity, performing four major stage shows annually. For more information or inquiries about the company, please contact 561.630.8235 or email [email protected].