About Washington Ballet

The Washington Ballet (TWB) is a leading professional ballet company based in Washington, D.C., rooted in a legacy that began when Mary Day and Lisa Gardiner founded The Washington School of Ballet in 1944. In 1976, Mary Day formalized the professional company to showcase the school's exceptional talent. Over the decades, TWB has grown into an internationally recognized organization, performing a wide repertoire of classical and contemporary works on major stages including the Kennedy Center. Current Artistic Director Edwaard Liang, appointed in 2023, is the fourth and first person of color to lead the organization. Alongside the company, The Washington School of Ballet trains more than 1,000 students annually, reinforcing TWB's deep commitment to dance education and community engagement across the nation's capital.