Perform with Professionals and Discover the Joy of the Stage

At OBT School, we believe that performance is a vital part of a dancer’s education. Stage experience not only builds confidence and presence but also deepens artistry and prepares students for the demands of professional work. And what could be more inspiring than dancing alongside the professional company artists of Oregon Ballet Theatre?

Performing with OBT is a rare and exciting opportunity that sets our school apart. Students who are selected to appear in company productions, such as George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, share the stage with some of the country’s most accomplished ballet dancers—an experience that leaves a lasting impression and motivates continued growth.

Whether you’re just beginning or advancing through our Professional Division, there are exciting performance opportunities for every level throughout the year.

Important Enrollment Note

To be eligible to participate in The Nutcracker, students must be enrolled by September 1. To be eligible to participate in The Annual School Performance, students must be enrolled by October 1.

Major Performance Opportunities

 

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®

    • A treasured tradition and a rite of passage for many dancers.
    • Audition required; casting is based on technical skill, height, and costume constraints.
    • Available to students in Levels 1–6 of the Professional Program.
    • Selected students perform alongside OBT’s professional company dancers—a truly memorable experience.

 

Other OBT Company Productions

    • Throughout the season, select students may be invited to join additional company performances.
    • 2025-2026 season opportunities include The Sleeping Beauty.
    • No audition required; participation is by invitation from the Artistic Staff.

 

Annual School Performance (ASP)

    • Held every spring. Our 2026 performance will be in Portland’s Newmark Theatre.
    • Open to students in Level 1 and higher in the Professional Program.
    • Participation is strongly encouraged and mandatory for merit-based scholarship students.
    • Rehearsals run January–April and may impact class schedules.
    • This is a professional-level production showcasing the students’ technical and artistic development.
    • Audition not required; casting is not guaranteed.

 

Annual Fall Showcase

    • Open to the students in levels 5 and 6 that are not as actively involved in the company’s production of The Nutcracker.  They will be featured in variations and repertory to complement the petite dancer performance “Land of the Sweets”

 

Annual Spring Showcase (Levels 3–6)

    • Features student work from Contemporary, Nique, Modern, Improvisation, and Composition classes.
    • For Levels 3–6.
    • Includes peer choreography workshops, with rehearsals held on Saturdays after ASP rehearsals.

Education and Community Engagement Performance Opportunities

 

Student Performance Series

    • Part of OBT’s Education and Community Engagement programming.
    • OBT Company, OBT2, and School students perform age-appropriate programs for local school groups during the day.
    • No audition required; participation by invitation.

 

Community Performance Series

    • Between 4-7 performances a year.
    • Held at various venues throughout the year.
    • Features students from Levels 5 and 6, by invitation.
    • No audition required.

Performances for Younger Students & Adults

 

Petit Dancer Performances

    • Designed for Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, and Primary students.
    • Held twice annually at the BodyVox Dance Center.
    • 2025–2026 session dates: December 7 and May 31. Same dates as the Adult Ballet Performances.
    • A positive and encouraging introduction to performing on stage.

 

Adult Ballet Performances

    • Dancers participating in our Adult Ballet Choreography & Repertory Workshops will also perform at BodyVox Dance Center.
    • 2025–2026 session dates: December 7 and May 31. Same dates as the Petit Dancer performances.
    • A fun and empowering opportunity for adult dancers to shine on stage!

We’re proud to offer these diverse and enriching performance opportunities as part of the OBT School experience. Whether you’re taking your first step on stage or dancing beside professionals, each moment is a chance to grow, shine, and fall in love with the art of ballet all over again.

Join us—and take your place in the spotlight.