The Columbus Ballet Begins Again: A New Studio, A New Youth Company, A New Chapter for a 30-Year Legacy

Written by TJ Shockley

For many in Columbus, The Columbus Ballet has long been synonymous with a single holiday tradition: The Nutcracker. For 30 years, that production has been an annual touchpoint that has introduced generations of families to classical ballet. But this year, as The Columbus Ballet reaches its 30th anniversary, the organization is not content on looking back; it is stepping forward.

A new independent studio. 

A newly launched Youth Company. 

An expanded performance season. 

A renewed focus on accessibility and community engagement.

Together, these efforts represent something more than an anniversary milestone. They signal reinvention. “This feels like a launch,” says board president Jennifer Hayes. “We’re honoring 30 years, but we’re also stepping into what The Columbus Ballet can become.” 

For Hayes and company director Bridget Adams, that future is about redefining both the organization and ballet’s role in the Columbus arts community.

More Than The Nutcracker

Hayes understands the perception that Columbus primarily associates The Columbus Ballet with The Nutcracker. It is something that she is eager to expand. “We’re proud of The Nutcracker. It’s a huge part of who we are,” she says. “But we’re much more than one production.” That shift begins with a tangible change: a dedicated home at Union Station on 6th Avenue in Columbus.

After years of operating in connection with other training environments, The Columbus Ballet’s dedicated studio space is something Hayes describes as transformative. Because it is no longer tied to a single institution, the organization now has the freedom to define itself independently. “It gives us the opportunity to reimagine our identity,” she says. “We can be a true community space for ballet, both for high-level training and for introducing people to the art form.” 

The new space also allows The Columbus Ballet to think beyond a single annual performance and toward a full artistic season. Alongside the 30th anniversary production of The Nutcracker, the organization is preparing a spring 2027 performance of Sleeping Beauty at the historic Springer Opera House, offering audiences another chance to experience classical ballet on a major stage. The Columbus Ballet hopes to position ballet as a year-round presence in Columbus rather than just a seasonal tradition.

A Dance Partner

As The Columbus Ballet expands its programming, its leadership is clear about one thing: it is not trying to replace or compete with existing dance studios. Instead, it aims to complement them. “We want to come alongside studios,” Hayes says. “We’re offering something that supports what they’re already doing.” 

That “something” is a deeper focus on classical ballet, both in training and performance. While local studios typically offer a mix of dance styles, The Columbus Ballet is centering its work on the foundations of ballet: technique, discipline, artistry, and tradition. Through master classes, renowned guest instructors, and performance opportunities, the organization hopes to give local dancers access to experiences that go beyond their regular dance training.

This approach is already taking shape through initiatives like a summer intensive, a one-week immersive dance experience that bring in guest artists — including talent from outside the region — to provide dancers with a broader perspective on ballet. The program will also incorporate contemporary dance, wellness education, and discussions around mental and physical health. “It’s about developing the whole dancer,” says Adams. “Not just technically, but physically and mentally as well.”

Introducing The Columbus Ballet Youth Company

At the center of The Columbus Ballet’s next chapter is its new Youth Company, designed for dancers ages 10 to 21 who are serious about advancing their ballet training. The Company will provide a more focused pathway for students ready to deepen their commitment to classical ballet and performance. Through a structured season of weekly company classes, rehearsals, performances, and community engagement, dancers will refine not only their technical ability, but also their artistry, discipline, and professionalism.

For Adams, the program is about more than skill development. “It’s not just about creating strong dancers,” she says. “It’s about creating leaders.” The Youth Company will offer advanced training, opportunities to perform in fully staged productions throughout the season, and exposure to professional-level artistic experiences that Adams says are often difficult to access locally. 

Dancers will also participate in community outreach and fundraising initiatives, something Adams sees as essential to the organization’s mission as a nonprofit arts institution. “We want them to understand that they have something to give,” she says. “This isn’t just about what they gain; it’s about what they can share with the community.”

The company is designed to challenge dancers while also fostering a supportive environment centered on personal growth. Adams believes ballet’s structure naturally teaches skills that extend beyond the studio. “The etiquette, the work ethic, the attention to detail…it all translates,” she says. “It translates to college, to careers, to leadership in the community.”

That philosophy is reflected in the organization’s long-term vision for the program. While some students may use the training as preparation for collegiate dance programs or professional careers, Adams says success is not defined solely by where a dancer ends up professionally. “For some, it’s going to be a career. For others, it’s going to become a lifelong passion and appreciation for the arts,” she says. “Both are meaningful.”

The organization also hopes the company creates a stronger sense of connection within the regional dance community. Because the Youth Company is intended to supplement existing studio training, dancers from across Columbus and surrounding communities can continue training at their home studios while also participating in The Columbus Ballet’s advanced ballet-focused program.

Making Ballet Accessible

If there is a unifying theme behind The Columbus Ballet’s evolution, it may be accessibility by opening doors. Hayes believes that ballet has sometimes been perceived as distant or intimidating or an art form that feels out of reach for many. Changing that perception is central to the organization’s mission moving forward. 

“We want people to feel like they can be a part of this,” she says. “Whether that’s as a dancer, an audience member, or a supporter.” That effort includes expanding outreach into schools and underserved communities, where even a little exposure to ballet can spark unexpected interest. “We’ve seen it happen,” Hayes says. “Kids who never thought about ballet suddenly light up when they experience it.”

It also includes broadening who ballet is for. Classical ballet is often associated with a narrow image, but Adams emphasizes that the Youth Company is open to anyone with the interest and dedication to pursue it — including male dancers, who are actively encouraged to participate. 

The organization is looking beyond Columbus, hoping to reach dancers in surrounding communities like Auburn, Opelika, and LaGrange These are areas full of dance studios but also where access to advanced ballet training may be more limited. Because the Youth Company is designed as a supplement for studio training, it offers flexibility for families balancing multiple commitments. “We’re trying to remove barriers,” Hayes says. “We don’t want access to be the thing that keeps someone from discovering ballet.”

A Broader Role in the Arts Community

As Columbus continues to grow its identity as an arts city, The Columbus Ballet is becoming a more visible and active contributor to that landscape. Both Hayes and Adams note that ballet sits at the intersection of multiple artistic disciplines: music, visual art, and performance. The organization is leaning into that intersection through collaborations with musicians, orchestras, and visual artists.

For example, this year’s Nutcracker includes partnerships with local artists contributing to the production’s visual elements, as well as live orchestral accompaniment, elevating the performance for both dancers and audiences. “We want to be an integral part of the arts community, but also a leader in ballet,” she says. 

The addition of a spring production further reinforces that role, offering a second major performance each year and creating new opportunities for both dancers and audiences to engage with the art form.

A Moment That Matters

The convergence of a 30th anniversary, a new studio, and a new Youth Company feels significant — not just for The Columbus Ballet, but for the broader arts community. “Art is being challenged in a lot of ways right now,” Hayes says. “But it’s also what brings beauty and meaning to life. This is an important time to invest in it.” For The Columbus Ballet, that investment is taking shape in both structure and vision: building infrastructure, expanding programming, and creating pathways for the next generation of dancers. 

In three to five years, Adams hopes to see Youth Company members leading outreach efforts, mentoring younger dancers, and helping shape the future of ballet in Columbus. Hayes envisions deeper partnerships, broader participation, and a stronger sense of identity within the community.

Together, those goals point toward something larger than growth. They point toward renewal. ◼️

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Spaces are still available for the Columbus Ballet’s Summer Intensive, June 1-5. Click here to register.

Auditions for The Columbus Ballet Youth Company will be held on June 6, 2026, from 10:00am – 12:00pm. If you or someone you know is interested in auditioning for The Columbus Ballet Youth Company, click here for more information and to register.