Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Premier Ballet Company in Chicago | Foundation For Joffrey Ballet
Founded in 1956 by visionaries Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, Foundation For Joffrey Ballet stands as a global leader in dance, blending classical ballet with contemporary innovation. Our diverse roster of 48 artists represents over 13 countries, reflecting America's cultural richness through performances that span iconic masterpieces and groundbreaking new works. The Joffrey Academy of Dance, our award-winning educational arm, nurtures talent from beginner to professional levels, while our community engagement programs provide equitable access to dance education for Chicago Public Schools. As resident company at the Lyric Opera House, we deliver world-class performances in one of Chicago's most prestigious venues. Our 70-year legacy combines artistic excellence with a commitment to advancing dance through education, innovation, and community impact.We pioneered the integration of ballet with modern storytelling, exemplified by productions like Christopher Wheeldon's Chicago-set Nutcracker. Our leadership team, including Artistic Director Ashley Wheater MBE and CEO Greg Cameron, ensures both artistic integrity and organizational sustainability. Through collaborations with institutions like the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, we preserve dance history while pushing creative boundaries. Our touring programs bring American ballet to international audiences, and our digital initiatives expand accessibility to global communities. The Joffrey remains dedicated to evolving the art form while honoring its foundational principles of excellence and inclusivity.
Services
Ballet Performances
Dance Education
Community Programs
Academy Training
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Details
- Year established: 1956
Highlights and features
- We present a diverse repertoire spanning classical masterpieces and contemporary works
- Our 48 artists represent over 13 countries, creating globally resonant performances
- We operate the nation's largest dance education program in public schools
- Our 70-year legacy combines tradition with groundbreaking artistic innovation
- We offer behind-the-scenes access to ballet production processes
What people say
Exquisite performances
Diverse repertoire
Community impact
Educational value
Artistic innovation
Services
Ballet Performances
Presenting classical and contemporary works at Chicago's Lyric Opera House, our performances feature award-winning artists in productions that blend tradition with innovation. We stage both iconic masterpieces and world premieres, creating immersive experiences through dance. Our repertoire includes reimagined classics like The Nutcracker set at the Chicago World's Fair.
Dance Education
The Grainger Academy offers comprehensive training from beginner to pre-professional levels. Our curriculum develops technical mastery and artistic creativity through programs recognized nationally for excellence. Students receive personalized instruction from industry professionals and gain performance opportunities with the company.
Community Engagement
Providing equitable access to dance education through Chicago Public Schools partnerships. Our programs serve over 20,000 students annually with in-school instruction and after-school workshops. Initiatives focus on using dance as a tool for youth development and academic enrichment.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Offering exclusive access to our rehearsal studios and production facilities. Tours include demonstrations of choreography development and costume design processes. Visitors learn about the technical aspects of ballet production from lighting to stagecraft.
National Touring
Bringing world-class ballet to audiences across America through annual touring programs. Our productions travel with full technical production values, maintaining performance quality in venues from Minneapolis to Berkeley. Touring expands our reach beyond Chicago while promoting American ballet.
People
Ashley Wheater MBE
Artistic Director
Leading Foundation For Joffrey Ballet since 2007, Wheater brings international experience from The Royal Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. He oversees artistic vision while maintaining connections to global choreographic talent.
Greg Cameron
CEO
Serving as President and CEO since 2018, Cameron previously led development at Lyric Opera of Chicago. He focuses on organizational sustainability and expanding community impact through strategic partnerships.
Questions
How can I purchase tickets for Joffrey performances?
Tickets are available through our website or the Lyric Opera House box office at 312.386.8905. Subscription packages offer best seats and pricing.
What education programs do you offer for children?
The Grainger Academy provides classes for ages 3-18 with levels from beginner to pre-professional. Community Engagement programs serve Chicago Public Schools through in-class instruction.
Do you offer behind-the-scenes experiences?
Yes, we provide studio tours and production workshops showing costume design, choreography development, and stagecraft techniques used in our performances.
How does The Joffrey support local communities?
Our Community Engagement programs provide free dance education to Chicago Public Schools, reaching over 20,000 students annually through in-school and after-school initiatives.
Are there opportunities to support The Joffrey through donations?
Yes, contributions to our annual fund or endowment help sustain performances and education programs. Donors receive exclusive behind-the-scenes access and recognition.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Andy Suarez Chefsuarez
Jan 03, 2022
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Thanks for taking time to help out with getting tickets to the nutcracker. Friendly staff and awesome performance
Anca
Dec 30, 2021
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Saw The Nutcracker this weekend. New version is very disappointing. Most of the choreography is basic and boring. Dancers' synchronization was way off. Some dancers wore flesh colored masks, which made them look like the Silence from Doctor Who. Theater was freezing. Save your money.
Janis McGowan
Dec 25, 2021
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We were very fortunate to be able to see the Joffrey Ballets Nutcracker matinee performance on 12/21/21. Everything about the production and performances were wonderful. Their new home is gorgeous and we will definitely return. We really enjoyed and appreciated the reworked storyline as well. Bravo and Thank you all!
Autumn A.
Dec 23, 2021
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Its difficult to express my level of disappointment in the new version of the Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet. My family was incredibly excited to see this show and we all, along with other guests I spoke with, left so disappointed. Many guests walked out before the show was over. Simply put, if you want to see the Nutcracker, do not see this version. Its depressing, drab and will leave you wondering why this was even called The Nutcracker. The orchestra was excellent but the twist on a holiday tradition is awful. Do not spend your money.
Andrew Haller
Dec 21, 2021
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This company is a bad name for ballet, and is nothing close to acting like a professional company. Avoid at all costs, or they will take your money. Cancelled the showing with only 1 day notice, and did not provide a way to exchange tickets for seats on a different night. They say the refund will take 20 days. I refuse to spend more money on a company that doesnt have the courtesy to work with me to exchange my tickets because the cancelled the show at the last minute
Noel Ben
Dec 25, 2020
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One of my favorite memories in the world was dancing in the Nutcracker part of the children's cast. Any mothers out there of children shorter than 5'5'' please bring your child to auditions usually in late summer.
Enna Lee
Nov 30, 2019
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The facility is great, with beautiful ballet rooms in the middle of downtown Chicago. The teachers are very professional and friendly. My daughter is taking classes there and we are happy with them, cant say anything bad. The only thing I wish was different there - is to add an option of a more intense program for younger students. As taking a 45 min ballet class once a week, seems to be a very slow progression. Young ballet students of my daughters age in Russia are taking a 1.5-2 hour ballet class at least 2-3 times a week.
