Ballet Co.Laboratory

Ballet Co.Laboratory honors the foundations of ballet while moving the art form forward by collaborating with our community and advancing equity in the classical arts. 

 GENERAL HISTORY
Ballet Co.Laboratory is a professional ballet Company and School located in St. Paul. The organization was founded in 2018 by Artistic Director Zoé Henrot in an effort to re-imagine how ballet is taught, created, and presented to advance equity in the art form.

 Ballet Co.Laboratory has quickly gained local and national attention for its original ballet productions, inventive dance education programs, and their ability to be a catalyst for equity and inclusion through the vehicle of dance.

 Since their inaugural season, more than 35,000 individuals have been served through their productions, classes, and outreach offerings.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s programming is guided by the following three artistic principles:

CO.CREATE

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s foundation is its professional artists who work together to create and perform new dance works highlighting athleticism, storytelling, and unique collaborations. Their performance season features 7 productions of classical and contemporary ballet works for 4,500 audience members annually.

CO.DEVELOP

The School of Ballet Co.Laboratory offers dance classes and performance opportunities to students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Students are trained in ballet, modern, contemporary, strength / conditioning, and classical jazz. Last season, 536 students ranging in ages 3 – 88 were part of their school community.

CO.INSPIRE
A crucial component of re-imagining ballet for the 21st century includes ensuring ballet continues to expand in diversity and accessibility. Ballet Co.Laboratory’s outreach programs invest in this work by bringing free dance performances and classes to underserved communities. Last season, 5,030 individuals, many who have historically been excluded from the art form, were served through these efforts.