A ballet company is a type of dance troupe that performs classical ballet , neoclassical ballet , and/or contemporary ballet in the European tradition, plus managerial and support staff. Most major ballet companies employ dancers on a year-round basis, except in the United States, where contracts for part of the year (typically thirty or forty weeks) are normally offered. A company generally has a home theatre where it stages the majority of its performances, but many companies also tour in their home country or internationally.
41-627: Houston Ballet , operated by Houston Ballet Foundation, is a professional ballet company based in Houston , Texas . The company consists of 59 dancers and produces over 85 performances per year. It is the 5th largest ballet company in the United States (by number of dancers). Beginning in the 1930s, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo . spent a week during the Christmas season performing for Houston audiences for 11 years. This led patrons to express
82-522: A David Bohnett LGBTQ Victory Institute Leadership Fellow. Prior to serving as an elected official, Parker worked in the oil and gas industry as a software analyst for over 20 years, including 18 years at Mosbacher Energy. In addition, she co-owned Inklings Bookshop with business partner Pokey Anderson from the late 1980s until 1997 and served as president of the Neartown Civic Association from 1995 to 1997. In 1986 and 1987, she
123-399: A music director , generally a conductor by profession, though this is often a part-time position. The music director has a lower status in ballet than they have in opera, where they are the head of the company. Freelance conductors are hired to conduct specific productions as and when required. Large companies have their own orchestra , which is often shared with an opera company resident in
164-629: A 61%-39% margin. As mayor, Parker voted for and then enacted an ordinance making it illegal to share food with the homeless in public spaces. Lawsuits continue over the ordinance, with a judge ruling in 2024 that local organization Food Not Bombs Houston could sue the city over it. After leaving the office of Mayor in 2016, she's been working for nonprofit organizations in Houston, including her role as Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for community development nonprofit BakerRipley . Since December 2017 Parker serves as CEO and President of
205-468: A Nebraska native, joined the Houston Ballet and became its first African American ballerina at the age of 19. She was promoted to soloist, and remained with the Houston Ballet until her retirement, fifteen years later. In 1990 Lauren Anderson became the Houston Ballet's first African-American principal dancer . Anderson continued to dance with the Houston Ballet until her retirement in 2006 at
246-439: A former dancer with Britain's Royal Ballet and English National Ballet , served as artistic director of Houston Ballet. Under Stevenson's leadership, the ballet transformed "from regional to international prominence". In 1989, Kenneth MacMillan joined the company as artistic associate and worked with the company from 1989 until his death in 1992. Christopher Bruce was named resident choreographer. Bruce, who currently holds
287-629: A gender-neutral hierarchy. Some companies (mainly in Russia and countries strongly influenced by Russian ballet ) employ specialist character dancers : unlike ballerinas female character dancers do not dance en pointe . The largest ballet company in the world is the Bolshoi Ballet of Moscow, which employs over 240 dancers, as of 2010. The largest companies in Western Europe and North America employ around one hundred. Many companies have
328-734: A growing desire for a resident dance company within Houston. The Houston Ballet has its origins in the Houston Ballet Academy, which was established in 1955 under the leadership of Tatiana Semenova , a former dancer with the Ballets Russes . In 1969, the foundation formed a professional ballet company under the direction of Nina Popova, also a former dancer with the Ballet Russes and the American Ballet Theatre . From 1976–2003, Ben Stevenson ,
369-503: A large company, they will have one or more assistants. Day-to-day coaching of the dancers is the responsibility of one or more ballet masters and ballet mistresses . Some companies also employ répétiteurs and dance notators . There is often a resident choreographer . All but the smallest companies divide their dancers into at least three grades. The most common names for the two higher grades in English are principal and soloist and
410-526: A permanent staff of craftsmen and craftswomen such as prop makers and costume makers, and technical staff such as lighting technicians and stage managers. Smaller companies hire freelancers for these roles as and when required. Some companies also have physiotherapists , masseurs , and physical trainers on the staff. The term " ballet " is sometimes used to refer to dance styles in any culture's classical tradition, mainly about classical styles of dance performed in parts of Asia. Classical Ramayana Hindu ballet
451-561: A runoff unnecessary. Due to term limits, she was not eligible to run for a fourth term, so did not enter the 2015 Houston mayoral election , and was succeeded on January 2, 2016, by state legislator Sylvester Turner , who became the city's second African American mayor. On May 28, 2014, the Houston City Council passed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) which was authored by Parker, by
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#1732773093289492-574: A seat for a controller's appointee on the Houston Municipal Pension System Board of Trustees, marking the first time the city's chief financial officer has had any involvement in the pension system." In 2009, Parker announced her candidacy for the office of Mayor of Houston in a video posted online to her campaign website. She was endorsed by several organizations and campaigned on a platform of better city security and financial efficiency. Other people who were in
533-543: A turtle collection today. Parker began attending Rice University on a National Merit scholarship in 1974, working several jobs to pay for her room and board. While at Rice, Parker founded a lesbian student group. A member of Jones College , she graduated in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in anthropology, psychology and sociology. In 2005, Parker completed Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government as
574-411: A vote of 11 to 6. Mayor Parker had certified that "there exists a public emergency requiring that this Ordinance be passed finally on the date of its introduction". On July 3, 2014, opponents of the ordinance submitted 50,000 signatures to the city to force the ordinance to a vote of the public. The city announced that the opponents were 2,022 signatures short of the 17,269 needed to put the matter to
615-498: A vote. HERO opponents filed a lawsuit against Mayor Parker and the city on August 5, 2014. In response, city attorneys defending the law filed subpoenas for sermons from local Christian pastors. Attorneys for the pastors called the subpoenas retaliation against Christians for opposing the ordinance. Parker maintained that the attorneys who dealt with the lawsuit for the city were outside lawyers (i.e., not city employees) and that she and City Attorney David Feldman had been unaware of
656-638: Is also involved in historic preservation efforts in Houston and received the "Good Brick Award" from the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance for her restoration of historic properties in the Old Sixth Ward . Parker and her wife, Kathy Hubbard, have been together since 1990. On January 16, 2014, Parker and Hubbard were married in Palm Springs, California . They have two adopted children together, as well as
697-454: Is an American politician who served as the 61st Mayor of Houston, Texas , from 2010 until 2016. She also served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council from 1998 to 2003 and city controller from 2004 to 2010. Parker was Houston 's second female mayor (after Kathy Whitmire ), and one of the first openly gay mayors of a major U.S. city, with Houston being the most populous U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor until Lori Lightfoot
738-535: Is now a four-day event in November. Ballet company Ballet companies routinely make a loss at the box office and depend on external financial support of one kind or another. In Europe, most of this support comes in the form of government subsidies, though private donations are usually solicited as well. In North America, private donations are the main source of external funding. Many ballet companies have an associated school which trains dancers. Traditionally
779-1115: Is often performed in Indonesia . The Royal Ballet of Cambodia is an example of a ballet company in the Eastern tradition. The companies listed below are ballet companies that perform according to the European tradition, although some international companies also perform contemporary ballets that merge Western and Eastern themes and dance techniques. Algeria Egypt Tunisia South Africa Armenia Azerbaijan China Hong Kong Indonesia Iran Israel Japan Kazakhstan Mongolia Philippines Singapore South Korea Taiwan Thailand Uzbekistan Austria Belarus Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Greece Germany Hungary Ireland Italy Kosovo Latvia Lithuania Moldova Monaco Netherlands Annise Parker Annise Danette Parker (born May 17, 1956)
820-645: Is the largest building dedicated to a professional dance company in the United States. The first floor of the Center for Dance houses the Margaret Alkek Williams Dance Lab, a facility that is regularly used for educational performances, lecture series, design meetings, and rehearsals. In addition to administrative offices, the Center has a costume shop, shoe room, music library, the Houston Ballet Academy Studios,
861-704: The George R. Brown Convention Center , the General Assembly Hall at the George R. Brown Convention Center, and Jones Hall . In 2009, the autobiography of former Houston Ballet Principal dancer Li Cunxin - Mao’s Last Dancer - was made into a film by Australian director Bruce Beresford. It premiered on September 13, 2009, at the Toronto International Film Festival, was nominated for several Australian film awards, and won
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#1732773093289902-807: The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Leadership Institute. She is also a professor at the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University. Parker is reportedly considering a candidacy for Harris County judge in 2026. Parker currently serves on the board of directors of the Holocaust Museum Houston and Girls Inc. and the advisory boards of the Houston Zoo , the Montrose Counseling Center , Bering Omega Community Services, and Trees for Houston. She
943-532: The AACTA Award for Best Original Music Score. After its premiere in Paris in 2013, Sons de L’âme was formatted into a documentary film by director Olivier Simonnet. This documentary was presented at the 2014 Houston Cinema Arts Festival . Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market was conceived by trustee Preston John Frazier Jr. in 1981 as a European style bazaar ( Christmas market ) to support dance scholarships, and
984-639: The Professional Company's Studios and Dressing Rooms. Excavation of the building site began in July 2009. On March 10, 2010, Houston Ballet hosted a party with dancers, staff members, donors, and friends to sign the last construction beam. In the end, the new building cost $ 46.6 million. Staff moved into the building in February 2011, and then-Mayor Annise Parker presided over the ribbon-cutting on April 9. On August 26, 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit
1025-733: The age of 41. In July 1995, the Houston Ballet became the first full American ballet company invited by the Chinese government to tour the country. An estimated 500 million people witnessed Houston Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet when the company's opening night performance was telecast live on Chinese television. Houston Ballet's first performance with a live orchestra was with the Houston Symphony . Together, they performed Nutcracker in December 1972. In 1983, Stevenson hired Glenn Langdon as music director. Langdon implemented
1066-662: The city of Houston. Both the Houston Ballet Center for Dance and the Wortham Theater Center took on water, leaving the company and Academy without rehearsal and performance space just as the 2017–18 season was set to open. Nevertheless, the Houston premiere of Kenneth MacMillan ’s Mayerling took place on schedule thanks to The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. While Hurricane Harvey affected operations at Houston Ballet temporarily,
1107-519: The company's 40th season in 2010, Stanton Welsh created a new production of La Bayadère . In 2011 the company was the first company to win the Rudolf Nureyev Prize for New Dance, allowing the company to purchase a new piece by Jorma Elo . In 2012, James Nelson was promoted from General Manager of Houston Ballet to the role of Executive Director. Julie Kent joined Welch as co-artistic director in July 2023. In 1982, Sandra Organ ,
1148-724: The concept of a fully auditioned orchestra and increased the size of the string section. Langdon left Houston Ballet in 1989. After his departure, a series of guest conductors led the next season, including John Lanchbery and Jack Everly . Ermanno Florio , who had been a guest conductor during the 1991–92 season, was appointed music director in 1992. The Houston Ballet Orchestra currently sits at 61 part-time professional musicians with 56 core members. Additionally, there are eight full-time professional pianists and several part-time pianists and percussionists who play for classes and rehearsals. With 115,00 square feet spread over six floors and containing nine studios, Houston Ballet Center for Dance
1189-566: The damage incurred within the Wortham Theater Center, was extensive. The Wortham received 15 feet of water and remained closed for the rest of the season. Forty years of Houston Ballet history was lost to floodwaters. In order to preserve the 2017–18 season, Houston Ballet launched its Hometown Tour and presented its planned season at alternate venues, including The Hobby Center for Performing Arts, Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land , Houston Grand Opera's Resilience Theater at
1230-641: The junior dancers form the corps de ballet . Some companies (especially in North America) have trainees or apprentices, who rank below the corps de ballet and may be unpaid. Some companies further subdivide these grades, and the terminology used varies from company to company. In the 19th century and early to mid-20th century the top female dancer was often recognized as the prima ballerina , but this practice has ceased. Male and female dancers were historically split into separate hierarchies (for more information see ballerina ). Today, many companies choose to use
1271-476: The run-off election, Parker was endorsed by former rival Peter Hoyt Brown. The city's primary newspaper, the Houston Chronicle , endorsed Parker over Locke citing her experience. Parker was elected mayor on December 12, 2009, and assumed office on January 2, 2010. Houston became the largest U.S. city ever to have an openly gay individual serve as mayor. After the election, Parker declared that
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1312-420: The running for mayor included Houston City Council Member Peter Hoyt Brown and Harris County school board trustee Roy Morales ; they were eliminated from the race on November 3, 2009. She entered the run-off election with the most votes to face former Houston City Attorney Gene Locke who garnered the second most votes. In the general election, the city's primary newspaper endorsed both Parker and Locke. During
1353-482: The same theatre or opera house. Smaller companies hire a local orchestra on a contract basis for each season of performances, or hire a scratch orchestra for specific performances, e.g. when they are on tour. During company classes and rehearsals, music is provided by one or more staff or freelance pianists. All but the smallest companies have a separate administrative staff that deals with marketing, accounts, personnel issues, logistics and so on. Larger companies employ
1394-432: The school would provide almost all of the company's dancers, something which helped to create clear distinctions in style between companies, but 21st-century ballet has open hiring practices, and many ballet companies have a very international staff. The head of a ballet company is called the artistic director . He or she is usually a retired dancer, and often they choreograph some of the company's productions themselves. In
1435-409: The subpoenas. After what some news organizations called a "firestorm" of criticism over the subpoenas (Parker said that she had been "vilified coast to coast" ), Parker directed the city's attorneys on October 29, 2014, to withdraw the subpoenas. After the subpoenas were withdrawn, local city pastors filed a civil rights lawsuit against Parker. The ordinance was later overturned by Houston voters by
1476-477: The title of associate choreographer, has set nine works on the company, including four pieces created especially for Houston Ballet. In March 1995, Trey McIntyre assumed the position of choreographic associate. McIntyre has created seven world premieres for the company, including his first full-length production of Peter Pan . In 2003, Australian choreographer Stanton Welch was appointed as Artistic Director and has created numerous works for Houston Ballet. For
1517-467: The top priorities of her administration would be improving transportation, balancing the city's budget, and selecting a new police chief. In the 2011 election, Parker won a second term as Houston's Mayor by defeating Fernando Herrera, Jack O'Connor, Dave Wilson, Kevin Simms, and Amanda Ulman without a runoff. In November 2013, Parker won a third term as Houston's Mayor by winning 57.22% of the vote, making
1558-692: Was a bookkeeper, and her adoptive father worked for the Red Cross . She lived briefly in Mississippi and South Carolina. In 1971, when Parker was 15, her family moved to a U.S. Army post in Mannheim , Germany for two years. In Germany, she volunteered in the Red Cross youth service organization and worked at the post library. Growing up, Parker was extremely shy and suffered from extreme anxiety. Her family even nicknamed her "turtle", and she maintains
1599-494: Was elected mayor of Chicago in 2019 . Following the voter-approval of Proposition 2 on November 3, 2015, which extended the terms of the Mayor, City Controller, and City Councilmembers to two four-year terms, Parker became the last Houston Mayor to be limited to serving three two-year terms. Parker was born in Houston on May 17, 1956, and grew up in the community of Spring Branch , where she attended public schools. Her mother
1640-492: Was president of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus . Parker ran unsuccessfully for City Council District C in 1991 and again in 1995, finishing third in the special election for At-Large position 4, the seat vacated by Sheila Jackson Lee after her election to Congress. In 1997, Parker prevailed in the runoff election for At-Large position 1 to become Houston's first openly gay elected official. She
1681-636: Was re-elected twice to the same seat in 1999 and 2001 without being forced to a run-off. As a councilmember, she was recognized as "Councilmember of the Year" by the Houston Police Officers Union and earned the "Distinguished Local Elected Official Award" from the Texas Recreational and Park Society. In 2003, Parker was elected City Controller. She was re-elected in 2005 and 2007 unopposed. In addition, Parker also secured