Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Premier Destination for Dance in Oakland
Founded in 1963, Oakland Ballet has been a cornerstone of artistic excellence and community engagement for six decades. Our mission centers on making dance accessible to all through world-class performances, educational outreach, and culturally inclusive programming. We specialize in creating productions that reflect the diversity of Oakland and the East Bay, blending classical techniques with contemporary storytelling. Our educational initiatives include in-school assemblies, summer academies, and scholarship programs that have nurtured generations of dancers. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on community support to sustain our operations, with ticket revenue covering only a fraction of our production costs.Our artistic leadership includes renowned figures like Artistic Director Graham Lustig and Artist-in-Residence Phil Chan, who champion racial equity in the arts. Signature events like The Nutcracker and Dancing Moons Festival showcase both traditional and innovative works, while our Luna Mexicana celebration honors Dia de los Muertos through dance. We maintain rigorous health and safety standards for all patrons and performers, adapting to current guidelines while preserving artistic quality. Through strategic partnerships and community collaborations, we continue to challenge traditions while honoring our founding mission to inspire through dance.
Services
Dance Performances
Educational Programs
Community Outreach
Summer Academies
Cultural Festivals
Scholarship Programs
The Nutcracker Production
Dancing Moons Festival
Luna Mexicana Celebration
Artist Residencies
Details
- Year established: 1963
Highlights and features
- We offer 60 years of experience in professional dance performance and education
- Our productions reflect Oakland's cultural diversity through inclusive programming
- We provide free community performances and educational outreach programs
- Our artistic leadership includes internationally recognized choreographers
- We maintain strict health and safety protocols for all performances
What people say
Breathtaking performances
Culturally inclusive programming
Exceptional educational outreach
Artistic innovation
Community engagement
Services
The Nutcracker
Our annual production of Graham Lustig's The Nutcracker combines classical ballet with unique local elements. Featuring the Oakland Symphony and Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir, this holiday tradition offers magical performances that engage audiences of all ages. The production includes special ticket donation programs for community access.
Dancing Moons Festival
This groundbreaking festival showcases Asian American Pacific Islander choreographers through contemporary ballet works. Designed to eliminate orientalist stereotypes, the program presents culturally authentic performances while advancing ballet innovation. It represents our commitment to diverse artistic representation on stage.
Summer Academy
Our intensive summer program develops dancers through technical training and artistic exploration. Students receive instruction from professional faculty while building foundational skills in ballet technique. The program includes performance opportunities and peer collaboration experiences for emerging artists.
Discover Dance
This comprehensive education program brings dance to schools through assemblies and community performances. We offer free in-school programs, ticket donations, and scholarship opportunities to ensure dance accessibility across socioeconomic backgrounds. The initiative serves thousands of students annually.
Luna Mexicana
Our Dia de los Muertos event combines dance, music, and family traditions in a vibrant cultural celebration. Recognized as one of the Bay Area's most elaborate such events, it features professional performances and community participation opportunities that honor Mexican heritage through artistic expression.
People
Graham Lustig
Artistic Director
Internationally acclaimed choreographer with over 30 years leading Oakland Ballet, creating signature works like The Nutcracker while expanding the company's artistic vision.
Phil Chan
Artist-in-Residence
Award-winning choreographer and arts advocate promoting racial equity in ballet through his work with the company and national initiatives like Final Bow for Yellowface.
Bat Abbit
Assistant Artistic Director
Seasoned dance professional managing daily operations and artistic programming, with extensive experience in ballet production and dancer development.
Questions
How can I purchase authentic tickets for Oakland Ballet performances?
Tickets are available exclusively through our official website to ensure authenticity and proper pricing. We do not accept third-party tickets.
What educational programs do you offer for students?
We provide in-school assemblies, summer academies, scholarship programs, and free community performances through our Discover Dance initiative.
How can I support Oakland Ballet Company?
Support us through donations, sponsorships, or volunteering. Your contributions help sustain our performances and community programs.
What makes your Nutcracker production unique?
Graham Lustig's version features local cultural elements, Oakland Symphony accompaniment, and special community engagement components distinguishing it from traditional productions.
Do you offer dance training opportunities?
Yes, our Summer Academy provides intensive ballet training for aspiring dancers with professional faculty instruction and performance experiences.
What safety measures are in place for performances?
We follow current health guidelines with flexible protocols to ensure safety for patrons, dancers, and staff while maintaining artistic quality.
Reviews (3)
Cg W.
Mar 27, 2020
Report
Christmas Holidays = The Nutcracker
Every year part of my holiday tradition is seeing a version of the Nutcracker. This year, I went to see the Oakland Ballet Company's version. Walking into this the Oakland Paramount always gives me the feeling that I'm here for a special performance, and this time, it was to see Graham Lustig's rendition of the Nutcracker. In one word: Spectacular. Brilliant new ideas to refresh this classic ballet. Beautiful sets and beautiful and talented dancers. It's always fun to see how "Mother Goose" will present her brood. Mr. Lustig
Every year part of my holiday tradition is seeing a version of the Nutcracker. This year, I went to see the Oakland Ballet Company's version. Walking into this the Oakland Paramount always gives me the feeling that I'm here for a special performance, and this time, it was to see Graham Lustig's rendition of the Nutcracker. In one word: Spectacular. Brilliant new ideas to refresh this classic ballet. Beautiful sets and beautiful and talented dancers. It's always fun to see how "Mother Goose" will present her brood. Mr. Lustig
Ted Curran
Dec 02, 2017
Report
Amazing ballet company! Their Dia de los Muertos show and Nutcracker have become family traditions for us. Always heartfelt, professional, and creative.
Maureen P.
Jun 04, 2017
Report
Yesterday I attended a matinee of the Oakland ballet at Laney College to which a friend treated me. There were two ballets. The first was enjoyable with excellent dancing. The second was a "Midsummer Night's Dream" and it was enchanting, captivating, one of the best presentations I have ever had the joy to see. It was clear that money was tight. The sets were basic, but wonderful for a Californian as they were backdrops of foggy redwood forests. But the dancing was superb, especially Puck and the lead ballerina. No full orchestra, of course, but some live music, one person
