Columbia City Ballet

The South Carolina Ballet is a professional ballet company in Columbia, South Carolina. Formerly known as Columbia City Ballet, the company has established itself as a significant cultural institution in the region.

History
South Carolina Ballet, formerly The Columbia City Ballet, was founded in 1961 by Ann Brodie, a former dancer with the Radio City Music Hall Ballet. The company was rebranded as South Carolina Ballet in 2023 to reflect its statewide focus. The South Carolina Ballet presents four to five full-length productions and two unique Educational Outreach productions each season. William Starrett is the current Artistic Director.

The South Carolina Ballet tours each year in Savannah, Georgia, Charleston, SC, as well as eight other cities around the region. The South Carolina Ballet has also given tours in Chicago, Charlotte, and around Florida.

Notable Productions
One of South Carolina Ballet's most ambitious projects is "Off the Wall and Onto the Stage: Dancing the Art of Jonathan Green," which premiered on February 5, 2005. Choreographed by Artistic Director William Starrett, the ballet brings Jonathan Green's paintings of Gullah life to the stage. With a budget of $1.25 million, the production featured vibrant costumes and a diverse cast, receiving acclaim as a major cultural event in South Carolina. It highlighted the company's commitment to artistic innovation and cultural representation.

Dancers
Dancers of the Carolina Ballet, as of June 2024: