American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School

The American Ballet Theatre (ABT) William J. Gillespie School at Segerstrom Center for the Arts is an expansion of the longtime relationship between the Center and American Ballet Theatre. The school, which opened in September 2015, combines the resources of American Ballet Theatre, America’s National Ballet Company®, and Segerstrom Center, one of the world’s leading presenters of dance. It offers unrivaled opportunities for training and nurturing future generations of dancers and dance audiences as well as furthering the development and evolution of dance. Following American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum, students are encouraged to reach their highest potential while building a safe and solid foundation in ballet technique. The school carries the name of Orange County philanthropist William J. Gillespie, who was a board member of ABT since 1999 and an enthusiastic and generous donor to the Center for much of the institution’s history.

The school’s location at Segerstrom Center provides unparalleled access to world-renowned performing arts experiences, including:

Master Classes & lectures
Priority ticket offers and discounts
Priority auditions for ABT productions at the Center, including The Nutcracker
Performance opportunities including the Spring Showcase, National Dance Day, and more.