An Inspirational 2013-2014 Season

Vincent Chavez, Rayshawn “Looney” Thompson (of the Turffeinz) and Alysia Chang in Oakland Ballet Company’s Spring Repertory performance, “Oakland-esque.” Photo by Davide DeSilva.

Oakland Ballet Company enjoyed a very successful 2013-2014 season. More than 7,000 patrons packed the historic Paramount Theatre in December for Graham Lustig’s “The Nutcracker,” and spring repertory season production, “Oakland-esque” garnered rave reviews from audiences and critics.

OBC continued it’s decades long tradition of making the arts accessible to all community members. The “Discover Dance” educational outreach program brought the joy of dance to more than 5,000 East Bay students, offered free performances at many venues around the Bay Area and awarded scholarships to OBC training programs to 10 promising young dancers.

Oakland Ballet Company’s 2013-2014 season opened with Graham Lustig’s The Nutcracker  at the iconic Paramount Theater with the live accompaniment of Michael Morgan and the Oakland East Bay Symphony. This heartwarming production is a holiday treat for all ages.

Learn more about this cherished East Bay tradition >

A highlight of the season was the spring repertory production, “Oakland-esque” – an Oakland inspired evening of dance and music held at the Malonga Theater in May. “Oakland-esque,” featured four new dance works all inspired by the richness and diversity present in Oakland.

“Oakland-esque” boasted sold out performances, high-profile news coverage, and rave critical reviews. Carla Escoda from “The Huffington Post” wrote, “A program that celebrates this spirited city with such style and invention deserves a long run, in many different venues. Purists may grumble, but this is the future of ballet. Companies in other cities should pay attention.”