Ruth Ann Koesun

ABT's 75th Anniversary Gala, a balletomane's dream of a performance on May 18th 2015 at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center, treated the nearly sold-out audience to a joyous celebration in dance and archival images of the American Ballet Theatre's seven-and-a-half decade reign as 'America's National Ballet Company'. That designation became official with an act of Congress on April 27th 2006, but the troupe founded by Richard Pleasant with Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith as Co-Directors in 1940 had embraced the ethos of this country right from the start.

Chester Theatre Company Artistic Director Byam Stevens has been engaged by American Ballet Theatre to conceive, direct and produce, in partnership with ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie, the company's 75th Anniversary Gala celebration. The Gala will take place at the Metropolitan Opera House on Monday, May 18. 

Casting for the first two weeks of American Ballet Theatre's 2015 Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie.