Mission statement
Ballet Fantastique reimagines the future of dance—building new dance audiences through contemporary ballet premieres, training the next generation of artists, and inspiring youth through visionary outreach programs.
Under the leadership and vision of founding Choreographer-Producers Donna Marisa and Hannah Bontrager, Ballet Fantastique's operations emphasize creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
Ballet fantastique's fred davis (guest artist, dance theater of harlem) and alanna fisher in the world premiere of donna Marisa + hannah bontrager's cinderella: A ROCK OPERA BALLET set in 1964 (Premiere 2012 at the hult center) with shelley & cal and the agents of unity band // photo: greg burns
Diversity & inclusion statement
Founding company dancer leanne mizzoni (bfan dancer 2009-2018) helps build the new city center for dance studio, 2010.
Vision statement
A leading voice in contemporary ballet, Ballet Fantastique will be recognized throughout the Northwest and beyond for its creation and performance of all-original contemporary ballets, marked by the hallmarks of fresh perspective, dramatic artistry, and collaborative partnership. These performance programs will attract, inspire, and retain new and nontraditional audiences for dance. Ballet Fantastique’s training and outreach programs will reach across barriers in access to educate the next generation of artists and audiences.
Ballet fantastique's leanne mizzoni as esther with andiel brown, artistic director of the uo gospel singers, as mordechai in the world premiere of donna Marisa + hannah bontrager's the book of esther: a rock gospel ballet (Premiere 2014 at the hult center) // photo: jerry gowins
History
Ballet Fantastique was established in 2000 in downtown Eugene by mother-daughter team Donna Marisa Bontrager and her daughters, Hannah and Ashley. What began as a tiny ballet school in a converted former hair salon has grown—with the support of passionate artists and tireless volunteers and staff—to become an industry powerhouse for inventive dance theater.
Ballet Fantastique earned 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2006 when Hannah taught herself how to apply and wrote the application on a donated laptop with the support and encouragement of a dear family friend. In 2010, a generous Meyer Memorial Trust Grassroots Opportunity grant, in-kind community support, and incredible volunteers enabled us to triple our square footage with the opening of our new City Center for Dance (CCD). This expansion empowered BFan to successfully triple its programs reach in fewer than three years. BFan's arts "campus" (including our City Center for Dance, our original Annex Studio, and our admin hub) is located in the heart of Eugene’s developing downtown Arts & Culture District, and thrives 350 days each year with the work of creating new choreography and dance education now benefitting 30,000+ artists and audiences from every socioeconomic sector annually.
BFan became the first new Resident Company of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in 2014 after a rigorous four-year application process. We deliver our inimitable original masterworks at home at the Hult Center (four projects and 15+ performances/year) and worldwide. In 2013, BFan was the first-ever US ballet company to perform in the city of San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy.
We love what we do, and we'll see you soon.