Company History

"Northern Ballet Theatre is dedicated to providing world-class dancers, exciting sets and breathtaking choreography."

In 1986, Doreen Cafarella founded Granite State Ballet School, now named Northern Ballet Theatre Dance Centre, and also initiated the beginnings of a professional ballet company. Ms. Cafarella's dream was realized when in 1998, Northern Ballet Theatre (formerly Granite State Ballet Company) became a professional dance company.

Under Ms. Cafarella's direction as Founder and Artistic Director, the Company has created an eclectic repertoire that includes classical ballet and contemporary works. Presently based in Nashua, NH, the Northern Ballet Theatre offers the finest in professional dance throughout New England. NBT is a member of the Touring Roster of the NH State Council on the Arts, and NEFA. Recognition as a member of the Touring Roster is not easily earned. It requires a rigorous scrutiny by the NH State Council on the Arts for professionalism, viability, and quality of performance and management, among other criteria.

Over the past 20 years, Northern Ballet Theatre has become a major part of the arts in the region. From our beginnings in 1986 as a community-based company, we have grown to a professional company, which has gained respect within the dance community for its excellence. NBT regularly presents artists of world-class quality. "Northern Ballet Theatre performs a demanding repertoire with competence and freshness," said The Boston Globe. The Nashua Telegraph reported that our performance of Cinderella was "filled with magnificent dancing, expressive choreography, inventive costumes, awesome sets and campy acting."

The Company's repertoire includes works by classical and contemporary choreographers. Full-length productions of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker have toured to high acclaim. The Company has partnered with three different orchestras (Indian Hill Symphony, Nashua Symphony Orchestra, and the New Hampshire Symphony) in its annual productions of The Nutcracker. In the spring of 2001, NBT earned the rights from the Agnes de Mille (of Oklahoma renown) Trust, to perform "Rodeo." NBT toured "Rodeo" in Nashua and northern Massachusetts receiving standing ovations from the appreciative audiences. The addition of "Rodeo" to NBT's repertory brings added prestige to the Company, by moving it up to an advanced level of importance in the dance community.

Northern Ballet Theatre continuously strives to excel within the performing arts community, and to maintain its standing as a source of pride for our New Hampshire community.