Kara Medoff News

Ars Nova will celebrate its 20th Anniversary and honor its founders Jenny & Jon Steingart at Nova Ball, Ars Nova’s annual benefit-turned-party of the season.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts President Casey Reitz and American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Executive Director Kara Medoff Barnett announced today a three-year partnership combining the resources of America’s National Ballet Company® and one of the nation’s leading presenters of dance.

The American Ballet Theatre has been named the official dance company of Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Segerstrom Center for the Arts President Casey Reitz and American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Executive Director Kara Medoff Barnett announced today a three-year partnership combining the resources of America’s National Ballet Company and one of the nation’s leading presenters of dance.

Kara Medoff Barnett, Executive Director at American Ballet Theatre since February 2016, will step down this fall to assume a new leadership role at First Republic Bank leading social impact marketing and strategy and developing the First Republic Foundation.

In its return to indoor performances in New York City, American Ballet Theatre will present the 2021 Fall season at the David H. Koch Theater, October 20-31, 2021. 

 The Jacob Burns Film Center, a nonprofit educational and cultural institution dedicated to presenting the best of independent, documentary and world cinema; promoting visual literacy; and making film a vibrant part of the community, has named Mary Jo Ziesel as its new Executive Director. She assumes the role on September 7.

New works by Silas Farley, Helen Pickett, and James Whiteside, all filmed during outdoor performances, will headline American Ballet Theatre's 2021 Summer Celebration on Thursday, July 15 at 7:00 P.M. EDT, hosted for free on the platform Afterparty.

New works by Silas Farley, Helen Pickett, and James Whiteside, all filmed during outdoor performances, will headline American Ballet Theatre's 2021 Summer Celebration on Thursday, July 15 at 7:00 P.M. EDT, hosted for free on the platform Afterparty.

Kevin McKenzie today announced his retirement as Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre at the end of 2022, following three decades of leadership. He will oversee ABT’s creation of new works and performances throughout 2021 and 2022, ensuring ABT’s vitality and artistic integrity, while working with the Board of Governing Trustees to provide a seamless transition to the Company’s next Artistic Director.

Kevin McKenzie today announced his retirement as Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre at the end of 2022, following three decades of leadership. He will oversee ABT’s creation of new works and performances throughout 2021 and 2022, ensuring ABT’s vitality and artistic integrity, while working with the Board of Governing Trustees to provide a seamless transition to the Company’s next Artistic Director.

Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet (MoBBallet) announces the Ballet IS Woman Symposium will take place virtually Saturday, March 7, from 12-4:00 p.m. and will feature two panel discussions: 

American Ballet Theatre is taking technique from the barre to the kitchen with its first-ever digital cookbook, ABT Kitchen. A creative compilation from contributors across the organization, ABT Kitchen includes 65 personal recipes from ABT dancers, musicians, and staff.

American Ballet Theatre announced today the cancellation of its 2021 Season at the  Metropolitan Opera House. The season, originally planned for June and July of 2021, has been  cancelled due to health and safety concerns related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and  restrictions on non-essential gatherings. 

LG Electronics' LG SIGNATURE is extending its partnership with the renowned American Ballet Theatre (ABT) for the 2020 holiday season. As the exclusive ABT Global Electronics Partner, LG SIGNATURE will sponsor the first-ever 8K Ultra HD highlight production of the critically acclaimed performance of The Nutcracker, created by celebrated choreographer and ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky.

Celebrating the trailblazing spirit that has propelled American Ballet Theatre for eight decades, ABT has announced a program that exemplifies innovation and inclusion. ABT Today: The Future Starts Now will feature the Company’s world-class dancers in four World Premiere performances on Monday, November 23 at 7 P.M. EST on ABT’s YouTube Channel.

SideBarre, a weekly blog series takes readers on a journey of ABT behind-the-scenes with posts from ABT dancers and conductors, staff and production crew. SideBarre offers insights from a cross-section of the Company.

Hakluyt has announced a new collaboration with American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Hakluyt will be advising ABT on a range of issues, including its response to the global coronavirus pandemic, its international education programmes, and its future touring plans.

Due to ongoing concerns relating to COVID-19, American Ballet Theatre announced the cancellation of its 2020 Fall season at the David H. Koch Theater, originally planned for October 21– November 1, 2020. The cancellation was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie and Executive Director Kara Medoff Barnett. 

American Ballet Theatre, in conjunction with Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital, has launched ABT Heals, a bi-weekly music and dance program to provide comfort and the beauty of ballet to Mount Sinai's physicians and staff, patients and their families. 

Building on the success of American Ballet Theatre's '80 Hours of Service' with the New York Cares Coat Drive, which kicked off the Company's 80th Anniversary earlier this year, ABT staff and artists are again joining forces with New York Cares to serve New Yorkers in need.