What Oregon Ballet Theatre does

Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional ballet company founded in 1989 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon. The organization operates as the official professional ballet company and training ground for the Pacific Northwest region, presenting a five-production mainstage season at three venues (Keller Auditorium, Newmark Theatre, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts) that includes classical repertoire, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker under an exclusive license west of the Mississippi, and contemporary world premieres choreographed by Artistic Director Dani Rowe.

OBT generates revenue through seven distinct streams: ticket sales and subscription packages (Four Show Repertory, Family and Friends, Choose Your Own, Pointe Pass), individual donations and tribute/legacy giving, corporate sponsorships (Fred Meyer, Boeing, Parker Polymer, The White Pepper Group, The Oregonian, KGW, KINK), institutional grants from foundations (Shubert, Hearst, Oregon Community Foundation, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation) and government agencies (Portland Arts & Culture Council, Oregon Arts Commission), school tuition across OBT School and OBT2 pre-professional division, dance studio rentals at $80/hour, and theatre set/costume rentals of productions including Napoli, Marilyn, and Swan Lake.

The company integrates performance, training, and community engagement through OBT School (beginner to pre-professional levels), the OBT2 pre-professional division, the Trainee Program, and a substantial education and outreach apparatus led by Director of Education and Outreach Kasandra Gruener that has reached over 20,000 students across 40 years. Key community partnerships include a 35-year collaboration with Albina Head Start serving nearly 900 low-income preschool children annually, an inclusive programming partnership with PHAME for adults with disabilities, in-school residencies with Portland-area school districts, and dance residency programs priced at $60-$75 per session for Title 1 schools. The organization employs 251-500 staff and operates with a board-governed nonprofit structure under Federal Tax ID# 93-1009305.

Name

Oregon Ballet Theatre

Legal name

Oregon Ballet Theatre

Website

https://obt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Oregon Ballet Theatre is a Portland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional ballet company founded in 1989, serving the Pacific Northwest through mainstage performances, ballet training (OBT School, OBT2), and community education programs reaching over 20,000 students.

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

Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN), Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Professional ballet company
• Ballet training programs
• Ballet performances
• Dance education outreach
• Studio rental services

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

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: Individual performance tickets sold directly to consumers through the OBT website (my.obt.org), phone box office, and subscription packages. Includes full-season subscription packages with tiered pricing.
2. Individual Gifts and Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the nonprofit mission. Includes tribute and legacy giving options.
3. Studio Rentals: Professional dance studio spaces rented to individuals and organizations for auditions, rehearsals, and events. Three studios available at $80/hour with special rates for OBT students and nonprofits.
4. OBT School Tuition: Tuition and enrollment fees for ballet training programs including summer intensives, youth programs, and pre-professional training.
5. Theatre Set and Costume Rentals: Production rentals of sets and costumes from OBT's repertoire including Napoli, Marilyn, and Swan Lake to other performing arts organizations.
6. Corporate Sponsorship: Support from corporate sponsors for specific productions and the season, including media sponsors and supporting sponsors.
7. Institutional Support: Grants and funding from foundations and government agencies supporting education and community engagement programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Oregon Ballet Theatre produces and presents live classical and contemporary ballet performances, operates a multi-level ballet training school (OBT School and OBT2 pre-professional division), and delivers community-based dance education programs to schools and underserved populations. It also generates ancillary revenue through professional dance studio rentals and theatrical set and costume rentals to other performing arts organizations.

Product overview

Oregon Ballet Theatre is a performing arts organization offering a unified portfolio of ballet performances and educational programs. The core offerings include mainstage ballet productions (Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, ALICE in wonderland, MADCAP, The OBT Collection), OBT School for ballet training from beginner to pre-professional levels, OBT2 pre-professional division, and community education programs including teaching dance in schools and the Learn About Ballet (L.A.B.) program for Title 1 schools. Additional offerings include theatre set and costume rentals, dance studio rentals, and various subscription packages for the 2026-27 season. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with performances at venues including Keller Auditorium, Newmark Theatre, and Patricia Reser Center for the Arts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OBT School: The official training ground of Oregon Ballet Theatre, serving as a pillar of ballet education in the Pacific Northwest for more than 35 years.
• OBT2
• OBTLAB (Learn About Ballet)

Products and services

• OBT School Official ballet training school of Oregon Ballet Theatre offering ballet instruction from beginner to pre-professional levels, with world-renowned instructors and opportunities to perform alongside company dancers.
• OBT2 Pre-Professional Division Pre-professional training division developing the next generation of dancers through mentorship from OBT2 Director Dominic Walsh and renowned guest instructors, including the Trainee Program.
• Teaching Dance in Schools Program In-school dance residencies and programs where OBT teaching artists work with educators to bring dance into classrooms, supporting literacy, math, and science curricula at K-12 schools.
• Learn About Ballet (L.A.B.) Program Early arts exposure program for Title 1 schools providing up to 8 sessions for up to 10 classrooms, including creative movement residencies, field trips, and transportation support.
• Dance Studio Rentals Professional dance studio spaces available for auditions, rehearsals, and events, with three studios priced at $80/hour and special rates for OBT students and nonprofit organizations; optional add-ons include kitchen access ($25/hour) and on-site receptionist ($30/hour).
• Theatre Set & Costume Rentals Production rental of theatrical sets and costumes from OBT's repertoire, including full productions of Napoli, Marilyn, and Swan Lake, available to other performing arts organizations with nonprofit discounts.
• Four Show Repertory Subscription Package Full-season subscription package including Swan Lake, ALICE (in wonderland), MADCAP, and The OBT Collection starting at $105, with best seats, easy exchanges, and 25% off additional tickets including The Nutcracker.
• Family and Friends Subscription Package Three-show subscription package including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and ALICE (in wonderland) priced at 75% for adults (starting at $75) and 50% for children ages 3-17 (starting at $51).
• Choose Your Own Subscription Package Flexible subscription allowing patrons to select any three performances from the season, starting at $81.
• Pointe Pass Subscription Subscription for ages 21-35 including five ticket credits usable for almost any show at any time, priced at $125.
• Summer Adult Ballet Programs Adult ballet instruction programs offered during summer season (June 15 - July 13, 2026) through OBT School.
• Summer Youth Ballet Programs & Camps Youth ballet programs and summer camps for young dancers offered through OBT School during summer season (June 15 - July 13, 2026).
• Summer Junior Intensive Intensive summer ballet program for junior-level dancers offered through OBT School (June 15 - July 13, 2026).
• Sensory Friendly Nutcracker Performance Sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker designed for audiences with sensory sensitivities, neurodiverse patrons, and families with young children; tickets priced from $35.

Quantifiable outcome

• Highest-grossing fall production in OBT history achieved by Dracula
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Albina Head StartcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 199035-year partnership providing preschool students movement classes, studio field trips, and complimentary Nutcracker tickets. Partnership began in OBT's earliest years through former OBT Principal Dancer and founding OBT School Director Joe Wyatt, working with Ron Herndon and the Albina Ministerial Alliance to create opportunities for children of color to experience dance.
• PHAMEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership creating original ballet video projects and providing virtual ballet classes for adults with disabilities. Collaboration included the video Emergence featuring original choreography by PHAME students, original music by OBT musician Western-Li Summerton, and filming by PHAME instructor Jason Rouse.
• Final Bow for Yellowface (Phil Chan)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to reimagining the 'Chinese Tea' divertissement in The Nutcracker. The White Rabbit variation was created as a respectful, culturally appropriate replacement for the former 'Yellowface' depiction, inspired by White Rabbit candies from Chinese culture.
• Fred MeyercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWelcoming sponsor of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, helping OBT bring this cherished holiday tradition to more families throughout the region.
• KGWminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for the 2025-2026 season, providing broadcast and promotional support for OBT productions.
• KINK True to MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for the 2025-2026 season, providing radio and promotional support.
• The OregonianminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor for the 2025-2026 season, providing media and promotional support.
• The Boeing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason sponsor for the 2025-2026 season.
• Parker PolymerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason sponsor for the 2025-2026 season.
• The White Pepper GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason sponsor for the 2025-2026 season.
• PAAX GNP FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOBT artists traveled to Mexico to perform alongside dancers from The Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Martha Graham Company. Artistic Director Dani Rowe premiered a new work titled 'Common'.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre: Mid-sized regional ballet company with comparable nonprofit structure, full-length classical productions, school, and community education programming.
• Ballet West: Salt Lake City-based professional ballet company operating at similar scale with a comparable mix of classical and contemporary repertoire, an associated school, and community education programs.
• Atlanta Ballet: Atlanta-based professional ballet company with a comparable mix of classical and contemporary works, an associated school (Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education), and education outreach.
• Houston Ballet: One of the largest U.S. regional ballet companies with a comparable institutional model: professional company, academy, Nutcracker and classical repertoire. Comparable in revenue scale and operational complexity.
• Colorado Ballet: Denver-based professional ballet company with a comparable nonprofit structure, Nutcracker holiday program, associated ballet academy, and regional scope. OBT and Colorado Ballet also share former dancer overlap.
• Tulsa Ballet: Mid-sized professional ballet company where OBT's new Music Director Enrique Carreón-Robledo previously served as Resident Conductor. Comparable scale, repertoire mix, and nonprofit operating model.
• Pacific Northwest Ballet: Seattle-based professional ballet company comparable in size, repertoire (including Nutcracker and Balanchine works), training school (PNB School), and Pacific Northwest regional market positioning. Direct peer along every meaningful dimension.

Regional players

• Nashville Ballet: Regional professional ballet company with a comparable nonprofit structure, school (NB2), and community programs. Comparable scale though geographically distant from OBT's market.

Broad incumbents

• Joffrey Ballet: Major U.S. professional ballet company with a comparable institutional model (company + academy + community programming). Operates at larger scale and primarily serves the Chicago market.
• San Francisco Ballet: Largest U.S. professional ballet company and OBT Artistic Director Dani Rowe's prior employer. Operates at substantially larger scale; comparable along repertoire and Balanchine tradition but not direct competition for the same audience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat1 record

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/oregonballet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@oregonballettheatre
• Facebookfacebook.com/oregonballettheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oregon-ballet-theatre
• Instagraminstagram.com/oregon.ballet.theatre
• TikToktiktok.com/@oregonballettheatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Oregon Ballet Theatre