About New English Ballet Theatre
New English Ballet Theatre (NEBT) is a dynamic professional ballet company dedicated to producing new commissions that represent the versatility and significance of ballet today. We promote the early career development of talented dancers, choreographers, and designers. NEBT has gained respect and recognition for its commitment to furthering outstanding talent and for its visionary, holistic approach to ballet making. To date, NEBT has produced ten critically acclaimed West End shows, performing at over thirty venues in the UK, including prestigious theatres like the Royal Opera House and Sadler’s Wells.
NEBT was founded in 2010 by Artistic Director Karen Pilkington-Miksa as a creative platform for emerging ballet dancers and choreographers and as a reaction to a perceived lack of early-stage career opportunities in the dance sector.
“New English Ballet Theatre is … packed with burgeoning talent, diverse offerings and plenty of pluck.” – Dancetabs
The company’s initial aim was to develop young talent in dance, music and design by providing high quality performance experiences in a nurturing, collaborative company setting.
Now in its second decade, NEBT is entering a new phase in response to a changing dance landscape. We have evolved from an early-career platform into a company dedicated to developing choreographers, presenting new work and creating exceptional dance experiences for the widest possible audience.
“a company who has now secured its place in the cohort of British dance companies” – Dance Europe
With the encouragement of our world-class Artistic Patrons, NEBT is committed to supporting the next generation of creatives and developing the artistry of exceptional talent at all career stages. Since its foundation, the company has commissioned and produced 34 original ballets, showcased 25 emerging choreographers, 31 artists and designers, 86 musicians/singers, and furthered the careers of 120 dancers. We commission world-class choreographers, some of whom are or were dancers with renowned companies such as The Royal Ballet, Dutch National Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Our Achievements
In the first 12 years since its foundation, New English Ballet Theatre has:
- Produced 10 West End Shows to audience and critical acclaim.
- Performed to live audiences at 30 venues across the UK-ranging from festivals to hospitals and the Royal Opera House.
- Commissioned and produced 34 original new ballets, fulfilling our company’s mission to produce new and original work.
- Furthered the careers of 120 dancers.
- Raised £3.2 million pounds in grants and donations to create world-class ballet performances and paid employment for artists.
- Showcased the talents of 25 emerging choreographers, 86 musicians/singers and 31 artists & designers.
- Produced digital content for streaming and social media.
- Produced a film of the ballet ‘Remembrance’ shown at the Regent Street Cinema as part of the WWI centenary commemorations in 2018.
- Delivered 60 outreach activities for around 2,300 young people.
- Reached over 700,000 people online, and a combined online, print, radio and TV reach of almost 10 million.
- Formed cultural partnerships with the Lyric Hammersmith, Royal Opera House Thurrock Trailblazer, Thameside Theatre and Cheltenham Music Festival.
Testimonials
“As a choreographer, the only way to evolve is to take risks, to keep challenging yourself. Such opportunities are rare, especially for choreographers using the classical ballet vocabulary as the base for their work. Therefore, the space NEBT offers to choreographers for experimenting is invaluable.”
– Daniela Cardim, NEBT Assistant Director and one of our Associate Choreographers
“I would like to thank you a lot for helping me get this job here in Helsinki. Thank you for giving me all the opportunities in the last summer that allowed me to build up technique and confidence. I wouldn’t have been able to come here if it hadn’t been for you and your choreographers and ballet masters.“
– Tim Morgenstern, dancer with Finnish National Ballet and 2022 NEBT alumnus
“It was my performance of Andrew McNicol’s Kreutzer Sonata with NEBT that basically got me accepted into The Royal Ballet.”
– Isabella Gaspirini, former dancer at NEBT, now Soloist of The Royal Ballet
“[t]oday I started my […] contract with the company of Norwegian National Ballet!
I can’t thank you enough for your constant support and the chance to perform with your company again!
I wouldn’t have had the confidence to go for the job if it hadn’t been for that month with NEBT! Mission accomplished I’d say!
So, thank you again Karen for your determination with this company, it’s such an admirable and quite unique thing you are achieving.”
– Georgie Rose, dancer with Norwegian National Ballet, NEBT 2015 alumna and 2022 choreographer