Take in a Ballet Performance While You are Visiting Orlando

There is a lot more to Orlando than Disney and Universal Studios. I am not knocking these two famous theme parks, but you can also enjoy other attractions when you visit Orlando. The Orlando Ballet is one such attraction that should not be missed.

This company started from humble beginnings in 1974 as the Performing Arts Company of Florida. It was started with twelve young, non-paid dancers and with an investment of a mere $4000.

Since then Orlando Ballet has become central Florida's only fully residential professional ballet company and performs its annual season at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. The Company includes not only dancers for the United States, but also Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Romania and the Ukraine.

If you are thinking that ballet is a bit too much for your youngsters, then think again. The Orlando Ballet company has a special family series with abbreviated ballets that are perfect for family audiences.

In this series of family ballets they perform works such as Cinderella with choreography by Peter Stark and the music of Sergei Prokofiev. The story of Cinderella is humorous, romantic and inspiring. And the ballet version takes the imagery and fun of Disney World, one step further.

Other performances in the family series include a condensed version of The Nutcracker featuring all the highlights, complete with stunning sets and costumes, special effects, beautiful music and exquisite dancing, and The Persian Princess.

In addition to providing a yearly series of performances, Orlando Ballet also runs a Ballet School which is home to over 1,250 students in four locations. It has trained some of the brightest young talent in the world of dance today. Graduates have gone on to dance professionally with Orlando Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet and the Hamburg Ballet as well other companies in major US cities.

The school began as an outgrowth of the company and was officially established in Orlando in 1982. Headed by former New York City Ballet dancer Peter Stark, the school offers American training incorporating precise footwork, classical port de bras and preparation for today's classical ballet companies. Orlando Ballet School is trying to become one of the best classical dance academies in America. Students are trained by a highly qualified staff and the performances are aimed at educating and uplifting both the dancers and the audiences.

The Orlando Ballet Company is located at Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center - 1111 North Orange Avenue, (formerly Southern Ballet Theatre), Orlando, FL 32804

Contact them for details about their performance schedule. Tickets to the Orlando Ballet can be purchased online through Ticketmaster. Just search for Orlando Ballet and you will find the performances and get the seats of your choice.

Expand your horizons when you make your next Orlando vacation by getting into the cultural riches of the region in general and the Orlando Ballet in particular. You and your family will definitely be in for a great treat.