Atlanta Ballet Fun Facts

Did you know that Atlanta Ballet is...

…the Official State Ballet of Georgia

…the oldest ballet company in the United States, founded in 1929

…recognized as one of the 10 top dance companies in the United States by Dance Magazine

…the largest performing arts organization in Atlanta outside the Woodruff Arts Center, with over 145 dancers, teaching faculty, and executive and administrative personnel; and a Board made up of 33 dedicated corporate and community leaders

And, did you know that Atlanta Ballet’s Centre for Dance Education…

…is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance

…is one of the largest dance education programs in the United States

…teaches a diverse student population ages 2 & up everything from ballet to hip-hop and jazz

…serves over 150,000 people through programming in metro Atlanta each year

…holds classes 6 days a week

…conducts award-winning kinesthetic learning programs for at-risk children in public schools throughout metro-Atlanta

But, what about Atlanta Ballet’s productions? Did you know that…

…over 100,000 people see Atlanta Ballet perform each year and that 50,000 people see Nutcracker alone

…John McFall’s Peter Pan was presented in London as part of the city’s millennium celebration

…our female dancers go through over 2,000 pairs of pointe shoes per season, costing almost $100,000

…dancers who portray Dracula receive additional pay for performing stunts of extraordinary risk and wear hand-tied wigs costing over $2,000

…the Nutcracker snow machine works like a children’s bubble toy – giant fans blow air and liquid soap through pipes, and special lighting makes the bubbles look like snow as they fall to the stage

And, finally, did you know that Atlanta Ballet…

…operates on a budget of $10 million

…commits 25% of every dollar contributed to education and outreach programming

…like many non-profits, receives almost 50% of its annual budget from ticket sales

…and receives the rest of its funding from you!