1880 S. Grant Street, San Mateo, CA 94401
The Company (650) 342-3262
The Conservatory (650) 342-3228

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Peninsula Ballet Theatre History

Peninsula Ballet Theatre was founded in 1967 by Dick Ford and Richard Gibson as the non-profit performing vehicle for students in their ballet school, then Peninsula Ballet School. In 1971 the first professional dancers trained outside the school were hired to form a separate permanent professional company. Since that time Peninsula Ballet Theatre has become the largest employer of professional artists in San Mateo County and its only professional dance company.

PBT now performs in venues throughout the Bay Area including East Bay. We have grown our permanent staff to five full time equivalents. In 1999, our volunteer auxiliary produced the first Annual Sugar Plum Ball as a primary fundraiser. In 2000 we contracted our first permanent professional dancers on an annual basis and introduced a 45 piece, full symphonic orchestra to our ‘Nutcracker’ production; symbolizing the great strides made by the Company and further evidence that the model and vision developed by the Board of Trustees is one that is working well for the greater San Francisco Peninsula.

To take our Company to the next level and continue our commitment to artistic excellence, in July 2009 Bruce Steivel joined PBT as Artistic Director. Furthering our artistic excellence we have the privilege of Carlos Carvajal's continuing guidance as Choreographer and Director Emeritus. Chris Christensen has served as our orchestra conductor since 2000.

Sponsors and Affiliations:

Hewlett Foundation Pacard Foundation Marriott San Mateo San Francisco Airport
Theatre Bay Area Dance Group

Dance Netork of Califonia Netsuite

Peninsula Ballet Theatre offers dance classes in Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Folklorico, Ballroom and Zumba. New classes are being offered every month!

Serving the San Mateo Peninsula with adult and children's dance classes, including Burlingame, Hillsborough, Millbrae, San Bruno, Foster City, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Redwood Shores, Menlo Park and Palo Alto.