Portland Ballet Company Principal Dancer Karen Montanaro

Located in Portland, Maine, the Portland Ballet Company is a small, classically based company founded in 1985. Under the direction of Eugenia L. O’Brien, the company has presented acclaimed performances of full length classics as well as highly regarded contemporary works. Portland Ballet Company was the first ballet company to premiere in Portland and to work with international level dancers and choreographers. PBC starts its Fall Season with performances in Ogunquit and Portland each year. In December, PBC commemorates historical Portland and the famed Victoria Mansion in its annual performances of "The Victorian Nutcracker". Our Spring Season varies, with such events as a performance with the Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra, or when a celebrity (Tony Randall, Christopher Reeve, Victoria Rowell) has joined us on stage for premieres.

Portland Ballet Company's "Sonar"

Portland Ballet Company is well known throughout the state as a company of well trained and disciplined dancers, with a repertoire of over 25 ballets. This company has developed repertoire with well known ballet figures such as Gabriela Komleva of the Kirov Ballet, and Anna Marie Holmes of the Boston Ballet. Isabelle Fokine, granddaughter of world famous Michael Fokine, staged "Le Spectre de la Rose" for PBC, the first time this ballet had been danced north of New York.

PBC Principal Dancer Daielma Santos coached by Guest Artist Eleanor D'Antuono

Included within PBC's varied repertoire is "Degas", choreographed by one of Portland Ballet's founding faculty members, Roxanne Rigoloso. Other premieres include include "The Silver Seal" and "Arthur Rex" by choreographer Lisa de Ribere. Andrei Bossov, former principal dancer with the Kirov Ballet in Russia, set his "Bolero" on PBC in 1992 and premiered "Carmina Burana" in 1996. Anamarie Sarazin, former principal dancer with Boston Ballet, staged PBC’s production of "Coppelia". "Dreambirds", a ballet incorporating American Sign Language by Brazilian choreographer Daielma Santos was premiered by PBC in 1998. Choreographer Kennet Oberly set his ballet "Summerwind" on PBC for a premiere in 2000. Eleanor D’Antouono set "Pas de Quatre" in 2002 and "Paquita" in 2003. "Duke Suite," choreographed by Adrienne Hawkins also premiered in 2003 to rave reviews.

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