In recognition of the service and sacrifice of our troops, Atlanta Ballet partnered with The Home Depot Foundation to offer complimentary tickets to active-duty military and veterans. Since 2017, this partnership has reflected the Foundation's mission to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans and has allowed Atlanta Ballet to express its gratitude through the arts and honor the legacy of Atlanta Ballet Artistic Director Emeritus and World War II veteran, Robert ‘Bobby’ Barnett.

Since childhood, Barnett's life has been steeped with a love for performance. Born to Vera and Jim Barnett in Okanogan, Washington, Barnett grew up captivated by the Golden era of movie musicals, idolizing Fred Astaire. His parents were more than supportive, encouraging him to dance throughout his childhood, with him taking tap lessons throughout high school.

When Barnett graduated from high school in 1943, he enlisted in the Navy and was deployed in the South Pacific. While enlisted, he auditioned for a Liaison Unit at Ernie Pyle Theater, which was recruiting GIs to produce musical revues for U.S. occupation troops. It was here that Barnett met one of his influential mentors, Michio Itō, a legendary pioneer of modern dance and former prisoner of war.

When he wasn’t performing, Barnett also took the time to see shows on his Navy tour. While on liberty in Los Angeles, he attended an American Ballet Theatre performance of Giselle that further fueled his ambition. The legendary cast performing that night included another future mentor of his, Jerome Robbins.

Throughout his Navy tour, Itō cast Barnett in several productions and encouraged him to find a ballet mentor and seek a career in dance. Their collaboration came to a close when Barnett’s service term ended, but courtesy of the GI Bill, Barnett was able to continue his passion for dance after finding his mentor, Bronislava Nijinska. As a renowned choreographer, Nijinska was famous for her contributions to 20th century ballet along with her collaborative partnership with her brother Vaslav Nijinsky of the Ballets Russes.

By August of 1946, Barnett was deeply immersed in his dance studies, taking 12 classes a week with Nijinska at her West Hollywood studio. This was the turning point: Barnett was soon invited to tour with the Ballets Russes, formally launching his ballet career. He then went on to dance under George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins at New York City Ballet with Barnett among the first generation of dancers to matriculate at the Ballet.

Barnett continued to reach new heights by leading the next generation of dancers. Invited by Atlanta Ballet's founder, Dorothy Alexander, Barnett and his wife, Virginia ‘Ginger’ Barnett, left New York City Ballet. Under Alexander’s advisory, Barnett went on onto become the esteemed Artistic Director of Atlanta Ballet in 1962 and led the company to professional status in 1967. Today, Atlanta Ballet is proud to honor the legacy of Bobby Barnett by ensuring more veterans can enjoy the art of ballet.

Learn more about the Veterans Tickets program or register for your Veterans Tickets today! Veterans Tickets are now available for The Nutcracker, on stage at the Cobb Energy Centre from December 6 to 27, 2025.