About
Festival Ballet Theatre presents classical ballet productions, contemporary performances, and full-length classical ballets. The program also offers educational outreach programs and free dance performances, and invites world-class ballet artists in leading roles to share the stage alongside company dancers. Selected dancers from Southland Ballet Academy studios and from open auditions in the community have the opportunity to dance alongside international ballet artists in these productions.
• Schedule: The season includes more than 20 performances each year and presents nearly two dozen annual performances overall.
Festival Ballet Theatre is a non-profit organization founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla. Its mission is to enrich Orange County’s artistic and economic vitality, to inspire love and appreciation for dance, and to invigorate ballet by presenting a season of classical and contemporary performances, providing a nurturing environment for dancers and choreographers, and offering educational outreach programs. Arts Orange County named Festival Ballet Theatre Outstanding Arts Organization of the Year in 2001. The company collaborates with Orange County arts organizations and events to promote arts education and appreciation and offers free dance performances at various sites throughout the community. The annual season includes The Nutcracker in December, two full-length ballet productions, and the International Ballet Festival: Gala of the Stars, and highlights works by world-renowned choreographers who have received critical acclaim. Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ballet Pedagogy and trained in the Russian Vaganova method.
Last updated July 4, 2026.
• Schedule: The season includes more than 20 performances each year and presents nearly two dozen annual performances overall.
Festival Ballet Theatre is a non-profit organization founded in 1988 by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla. Its mission is to enrich Orange County’s artistic and economic vitality, to inspire love and appreciation for dance, and to invigorate ballet by presenting a season of classical and contemporary performances, providing a nurturing environment for dancers and choreographers, and offering educational outreach programs. Arts Orange County named Festival Ballet Theatre Outstanding Arts Organization of the Year in 2001. The company collaborates with Orange County arts organizations and events to promote arts education and appreciation and offers free dance performances at various sites throughout the community. The annual season includes The Nutcracker in December, two full-length ballet productions, and the International Ballet Festival: Gala of the Stars, and highlights works by world-renowned choreographers who have received critical acclaim. Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ballet Pedagogy and trained in the Russian Vaganova method.
Last updated July 4, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.