The Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet was founded in 1973 as the Ballet Lyrique by a group of citizens who wanted to give local dancers a performing outlet and to bring classical ballet into the Shreveport-Bossier Community. The Ballet has been operating continuously since that time, making it one of the oldest arts organizations in Shreveport-Bossier.
Our season begins each year with Ballet Under the Stars, a free performance, usually given in conjunction with other local dance groups. Hundreds of people come to picnic and share an evening of dance. SMB annually presents two full-length classical ballets, including the holiday favorite The Nutcracker and a performance each spring of other ballets from the classical repertoire. The audiences come not only from the Shreveport-Bossier area, but also from East Texas, southern Arkansas, and small communities throughout north Louisiana.
Dancers from ages ten to adult are chosen each spring by open auditions to become members of the Junior and Senior companies of the Ballet. The existence of the Ballet has provided these dancers with the necessary training and experience to go on to dance with companies in other cities and to study dance at the university level. Dancers gain valuable experience by being able to dance alongside the professional guest artists brought in each year for the performances. Guest artists have come from such ballets as the New York City Ballet, the Boston Ballet, the Houston Ballet, Ballet Oklahoma, and the San Francisco Ballet.
Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet has continued to grow through the years thanks to the support of the community and the dedication of hundreds of volunteers. We are a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing a cross-section of the community. All Board meetings are open to the general membership. SMB is supported by private and corporate donations, memberships, fundraisers, and grants, which enable the Ballet Company to present professional quality performances each year.