What Tulsa Ballet does

Tulsa Ballet is a private nonprofit professional ballet company founded in 1956 in Tulsa, Oklahoma by Roman Jasinski and Moscelyne Larkin, operating under Tulsa Ballet Theater, Inc. and the Tulsa Ballet Foundation. It is designated the official cultural ambassador for the state of Oklahoma and runs two operating subsidiaries — Tulsa Ballet II (TBII), a second company for emerging dancers, and the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education (TBCDE), which provides professional ballet training across two locations in Tulsa (Brookside) and Broken Arrow (Hardesty Center). The company presents a full annual season of mainstage productions including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, and Carmen, alongside the Creations in Studio K contemporary works program, and maintains an international touring footprint that has included Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and European tours to Italy and Germany, with a London debut scheduled for 2026/2027.

The company's core products are live ballet performances and dance education; there is no proprietary technology stack. Operations are anchored by a 295-seat Studio K theater (opened April 2008 at the Brookside headquarters) and supported by venue partnerships with Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Lorton Performance Center at the University of Tulsa, and Arvest Convention Center for the annual Icons & Idols Gala. Audience development runs through direct box office sales, Ticketmaster, season subscriptions, and digital channels (email/Wordfly, social media on Facebook/X/Instagram/YouTube). No apps, APIs, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

Tulsa Ballet operates a diversified nonprofit revenue model with six streams: ticket sales and season subscriptions, multi-tier Circle of Friends memberships (Founders' Society, Soloist, Demi-Soloist, Choreographers' Circle, Corps de Ballet), Corporate Council partnerships with 40+ Oklahoma businesses (ONEOK, Williams, AAON, AVB Bank, HoganTaylor LLP, etc.), special events including the annual Icons & Idols Gala, facility rental of Studio K and rehearsal spaces, and dance school tuition from TBCDE programs. Federal and state funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oklahoma Arts Council. The organization also runs community programs including Hope for the Holidays (costing over $70,000 annually) serving 160+ local children, and a trainee program affiliated with the Prix de Lausanne international ballet competition.

Name

Tulsa Ballet

Legal name

Tulsa Ballet Foundation

Website

https://tulsaballet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tulsa Ballet is a nonprofit professional ballet company founded in 1956 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, serving as the state's official cultural ambassador through mainstage productions, dance education, and international touring to local patrons, students, and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts (Ballet)

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120), Dance Companies (71112), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Classical Ballet (Full-Length & Repertoire) (MPAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Performances (THAJAFAD), Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Professional ballet performances
• Dance education programs
• Performing arts productions
• Ballet training school
• Community arts programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tulsa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets and season subscriptions for ballet performances at multiple venues including Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Studio K, and Lorton Performance Center.
2. Memberships & Donations: Circle of Friends membership program with multiple tiers (Founders' Society, Choreographers' Circle, Demi-Soloist, Soloist, Corps de Ballet), plus general donations and Five Moons Scholarship Fund.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate Council partnership program with local Oklahoma businesses providing sponsorship revenue.
4. Special Events: Revenue from events including Icons & Idols Gala (annual fundraising gala), Nutcracker Holiday Teas, and other community events.
5. Facility Rental: Rental of Studio K theater (295 seats), rehearsal studios, and event spaces to arts groups, non-profit organizations, and corporate entities.
6. Dance Education: Revenue from dance school classes, summer programs, trainee program, and day program at the Center for Dance Education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tulsa Ballet is a nonprofit professional ballet company that produces and presents mainstage ballet productions (including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, Carmen, Creations in Studio K, and The Ugly Duckling) at venues such as Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Lorton Performance Center, and Studio K. The company also operates the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education (TBCDE), delivering professional ballet training, summer programs, trainee and day programs, and student mentorship at its Brookside and Broken Arrow campuses, supported by memberships, donations, corporate sponsorships, and venue rentals.

Product overview

Tulsa Ballet is a performing arts organization offering a portfolio of ballet productions and dance education programs. The core product consists of mainstage ballet productions at venues including Tulsa Performing Arts Center and Lorton Performance Center, featuring classic ballets (Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, Carmen) and contemporary works through its Creations in Studio K program. Complementing performances is the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education (TBCDE), which provides professional ballet training through Summer Programs, Trainee Program, Day Program, and Student Mentorship Program at two locations. The organization also operates Studio K as a 295-seat performance venue available for rental. Membership programs including Circle of Friends and Founders' Society provide exclusive access to performances, rehearsals, and special events. Community engagement includes the Hope for the Holidays program offering free Nutcracker attendance to social service agency clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Swan Lake Classic ballet production based on traditional choreography by Marius Petipa, presented by Tulsa Ballet's Artistic Director Marcello Angelini with live accompaniment from Tulsa Symphony Orchestra at Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
• The Nutcracker Holiday ballet tradition featuring choreography by Val Caniparoli and Ma Cong, with sets and costumes by Tracy Grant Lord and live music from Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. Annual production including the Hope for the Holidays community event serving children from local social service agencies.
• Cinderella Full-length ballet commissioned by Tulsa Ballet with choreography by Andrew McNicol, featuring new sets and costumes designed by Jerome Kaplan. Scheduled for February 18-21, 2027 at Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
• Romeo & Juliet Classic ballet commissioned by Tulsa Ballet in 2012 with choreography by Edwaard Liang, featuring live accompaniment from Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and sword-fighting elements. Scheduled for April 1-4, 2027 at Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
• Carmen Contemporary ballet reimagining the classic tale through striking modern movement. Choreographed by Kenneth Tindall (Northern Ballet's Resident Choreographer) with music by Georges Bizet, Rodion Shchedrin, and Alexandra Harwood. Scheduled for May 6-9, 2027 at Lorton Performance Center.
• Creations in Studio K Annual triple-bill program commissioning new works by world-renowned choreographers and emerging voices, performed at the Studio K venue. Features multiple world premieres each season.
• The Ugly Duckling Contemporary ballet reimagining the familiar story through the lens of growing up, with contemporary street dance elements. Choreography by Natasha Adorlee. Part of The Hardesty Family Foundation Children's Series.
• Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education (TBCDE) Professional ballet training school offering classes for youth and adults, including Summer Programs, Trainee Program, Day Program, and Student Mentorship Program. Operates at two locations: Tulsa Ballet Brookside and Hardesty Center for Dance Education in Broken Arrow.
• Studio K Venue Rental 295-seat theater performance venue in the heart of Brookside with 73-foot-wide stage over 48 feet deep and full lighting and sound package. Available for rental to arts groups, non-profits, and corporate entities; includes Studios B, D, E, F, entrance lobby, box office, boutique, and café with full audio/visual packages and event planning services for events up to 200 people.
• Icons & Idols Gala Annual fundraising gala featuring brand-new works performed by Tulsa Ballet dancers, with the 16th annual event scheduled for April 17, 2027 at Arvest Convention Center. Includes a brand-new commissioned work each year.
• Circle of Friends Membership Multi-tier membership program with levels including Founders' Society, Choreographers' Circle, Demi-Soloist, Soloist, and Corps de Ballet. Provides exclusive access to performances, rehearsals, and special events while supporting scholarships for the dance school.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 160 local children participate annually in The Nutcracker alongside professional artists
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tulsa Symphony OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLive orchestral accompaniment for major productions including The Nutcracker and Romeo & Juliet. The orchestra provides professional musical accompaniment essential to the ballet performances.
• Tulsa Performing Arts CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary venue partner for main stage productions including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, and other major performances.
• Lorton Performance Center (University of Tulsa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner at University of Tulsa campus for Carmen and Signature Series performances. 635-seat Gussman Concert Hall.
• Arvest Convention CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for Icons & Idols annual fundraising gala.
• Corporate Council Partners (40+ Oklahoma businesses)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsors including 505 Architects, AAON, AVB Bank, BlueSky Bank, Commerce Bank, Don Thornton Auto, Genesis Health Clubs, HoganTaylor LLP, Mabrey Bank, ONEOK, Williams, and many others participating in Corporate Council program.
• Official Hotel PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partners including Aloft Tulsa Downtown, Courtyard Tulsa Downtown, Fairfield Inn & Suites Tulsa Downtown Arts District, and Hotel Indigo providing accommodations for visiting audiences.
• 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Breakin'Bricks multimedia dance and documentary experience exploring the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Houston Ballet: One of the largest U.S. professional ballet companies with extensive international touring, a large academy, and a multi-venue season. Operates in the same nonprofit space as Tulsa Ballet but at meaningfully larger scale.
• Atlanta Ballet: Larger and longer-established professional ballet company operating in the broader Southeast U.S. market. Comparable core product (ballet performances, school, community programs) but at materially greater scale and budget.

Regional players

• Oklahoma City Ballet: Oklahoma's other professional ballet company based in Oklahoma City. Operates in the same state with a comparable professional company and education program, competing for the same regional audience and corporate sponsor pool.

Direct peers

• Colorado Ballet: Regional professional ballet company in Denver with a similar company size, Academy, and mixed classical/contemporary season programming. Comparable in nonprofit structure, headcount, and audience profile.
• Ballet Arizona: Phoenix-based regional professional ballet with comparable scale, a Center Dance attachment, and a similar mix of full-length classics and contemporary commissions. Mirrors Tulsa Ballet's nonprofit operating model.
• Milwaukee Ballet: Regional ballet company with an attached Academy and similar mix of full-length classics and contemporary commissions. Closely comparable in size, programming philosophy, and Midwest-style nonprofit economics.
• Nashville Ballet: Mid-size regional ballet company in Nashville with a School of Nashville Ballet and comparable programming of classics alongside contemporary works. Similar nonprofit structure and revenue mix to Tulsa Ballet.
• Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre: Established regional professional ballet company with a school and comparable season programming. Similar scale and nonprofit economics make it a useful operational benchmark for Tulsa Ballet.
• Kansas City Ballet: Mid-size regional professional ballet company with a comparable company size, education program, and mixed classic/contemporary repertoire. Closely comparable in scale, business model (nonprofit), and programming approach to Tulsa Ballet.
• Sarasota Ballet: Mid-size Florida-based professional ballet known for mixed classic/repertory programming under a long-tenured director. Similar scale and nonprofit structure to Tulsa Ballet.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tulsaballet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/TBTulsaBallet
• Facebookfacebook.com/tulsaballet
• Instagraminstagram.com/tulsaballet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tulsa Ballet