Pacific Northwest Ballet

Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became Artistic Director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, Co-Artistic Directors since 1977. The Company of fifty-one dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.

Under the direction of Peter Boal, PNB has continued to expand and diversify its repertory to include works by Ulysses Dove, Susan Marshall, Mark Morris, Victor Quijada, Twyla Tharp, Christopher Wheeldon and others. An annual Spring Dance Festival was inaugurated in April 2007 with the theme Celebrate Seattle. The second annual festival was the Laugh Out Loud! Festival in April 2008, featuring new and classic comedy ballets.

Founded in 1974, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, under the direction of Francia Russell since 1977 and now under Mr. Boal's direction, is nationally recognized as setting the standard for ballet training and offers a complete professional curriculum to more than 950 students. The Company and School also provide comprehensive dance education to the greater Seattle area and reach more than 10,000 adults and children each year through DanceChance, Discover Dance and other outreach programs and activities.