OBT2 Program
Oregon Ballet Theatre’s second company, OBT2, is comprised of 8-10 dancers. The program provides development, individual guidance, training and performance opportunities to facilitate the transition from student to professional dancer.
OBT2 members participate in daily classes and rehearsals from 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Dancers typically take class twice per week with OBT’s professional company. When not in company rehearsals, dancers have an extensive class schedule and rehearse their own repertoire.
Technique Classes:
- Pointe
- Men’s
- Pas de Deux
- Variations
- Contemporary
- Character
- Improvisation
- Choreography
Wellness Program:
Individual physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, and acupuncture appointments are available to the dancers at no cost. Dancers receive classes and individual support in strength training and injury prevention/ rehabilitation with OBT’s Wellness coordinator & Lead Physical Therapist, Nadia Chopra, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT.
Classes Include:
- Yoga & Meditation
- Pilates
- Gyrotonics
- Strength Training
- Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation
- Progressive Ballet Technique
- Alexander Technique
- Titas Motion Therapy
Beyond the Studio:
Dancers will gain a better understanding of an arts non-profit organization through a wide variety of career development classes and lectures.
- Resume Instruction & Assistance
- Dance History
- Video Studies
- Stage Make-up
- Music Theory for Dancers
- Stage Management
- Lighting Design
- Anatomy
- Social media training and interview preparation
Directors from marketing, development, grant writing, and production meet with the dancers to offer an insight into their backgrounds and individual facets within the organization.
Mentor Program & Audition Support:
Each dancer is provided with a mentor from OBT2 faculty to discuss their goals and to offer them support throughout their journey in the program. Audition support provided to OBT2 members includes variations coaching, resume guidance, photography, and videography.
OBT2 dancers understudy and perform professional company roles in the first three large-scale productions of the season including George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. In the spring, OBT2 participates in OBT School’s Annual School Performance, OBT by Design, and their own 6–8-week tour throughout the pacific northwest.
24–25 Performance Opportunities
- Hansel & Gretel
- George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®
- Giselle
- OBT by Design
- OBT Company Artists create new works on dancers from the OBT2 & Trainee programs.
- OBT School’s Annual School Performance
- OBT2’s Spring Tour (April – June)
For more information on OBT’s current season, visit https://www.obt.org/24-25-season/.
2024-2025: $1,500 (AUGUST 28, 2024 – JUNE 8, 2025 – 37 Weeks)
*Limited need and merit-based scholarships available.
Current and incoming OBT2 dancers are required to attend the last two weeks of the OBT School Summer Intensive.
2025-2026: Coming Soon!
OBT2 Dancers are provided with a shoe allowance to be determined at the beginning of every season.
OBT2 Audition Information can be found at https://www.obt.org/company/auditions/
Participation is one to two years; students’ placement in the program is evaluated every year. Two years in the program is not guaranteed.
Current OBT2 Dancers
Tristan Blaquiere
Sophia Guasco
James Johnson
Madelyn Kleven
Adrienne Klimchak
Elliana Kluherz
Frances Mandeville
Vera-An Nguyen
Phillip Wells-Benitez
Book OBT2:
Those interested in learning more about OBT2 or are interested in booking them for a performance, please contact OBT2 Coordinator, Colleen Hildestad, at colleen.hildestad@obt.org
Photos by Brian Simcoe