Mission Statement
Princeton University Ballet, founded in 2008, is an entirely student-led, innovative, and evolving ballet company. The company leads, creates, and performs two shows a year, showcasing both student and guest choreography. We strive to renew the expression of ballet while maintaining a strong classical base. As members of both a diverse university community and a traditionally excluding dance and restrictive art form, we commit to the pursuit of a more inclusive environment. Our distinct position as a company of student artists promotes agency and collaboration that reinvigorates a love of dance among members.
History
Princeton University Ballet, founded by Virginia Byron '10 and Elizabeth Rosen '10 in 2008, is the only ballet company on Princeton’s campus. PUB is student-run and directed by undergraduate and graduate students, presenting one show each semester as well as other outreach guest performances. We provide a supportive space for all of our dancers to choreograph and develop as artists, as well as welcome guest choreographers of all backgrounds to create original works on the company. Our repertoire includes pieces on flat as well as pointe. We provide a space for dancers to continue their ballet dancing and pride ourselves on also exploring the cutting edge of contemporary-ballet. We also commit ourselves to sharing the art form not only Princeton’s campus, but to the surrounding neighborhoods and students.
Some guest choreographers we have invited include Durante Verzola, Gabrielle Lamb, Jennifer Archibald, Christopher Fleming, and Susan Jaffe. Our dancers have danced and trained at institutions such as the School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the JKO School, LINES Ballet School, and National Ballet of Canada.
Most importantly, we are a fun and loving family! PUB is a collection of people from all around the world and from different training backgrounds. Some of our members took time off to dance in professional companies before coming to Princeton; some took a year off from ballet before returning to it while at college. We all recognize that being a ballet dancer is a process, and PUB empowers each other to find our best selves as dancers and people.
Some guest choreographers we have invited include Durante Verzola, Gabrielle Lamb, Jennifer Archibald, Christopher Fleming, and Susan Jaffe. Our dancers have danced and trained at institutions such as the School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the JKO School, LINES Ballet School, and National Ballet of Canada.
Most importantly, we are a fun and loving family! PUB is a collection of people from all around the world and from different training backgrounds. Some of our members took time off to dance in professional companies before coming to Princeton; some took a year off from ballet before returning to it while at college. We all recognize that being a ballet dancer is a process, and PUB empowers each other to find our best selves as dancers and people.
