The School of New England Ballet Theatre
302 W Main St, Suite 102, Avon, CT 06001
About
The School of New England Ballet Theatre offers dance performances, the creation and production of new choreography, and the creation and production of original ballets. The program also includes educational outreach programming in schools, libraries, and senior centers, as well as an adaptive dance program called Bridges to Ballet.
The School of New England Ballet Theatre is a professional ballet company and academy that launched in February 2021 to train the next generation of dancers. It was founded on January 22, 2020 by Rachael Gnatowski. The organization states that its mission is to provide high-quality performances, to inspire through exceptional educational programs, and to cultivate an appreciation for dance throughout the community.
The School of New England Ballet Theatre has created an endowment fund in January 2025, established the Young Choreographer Award in February 2025, and launched the adaptive dance program Bridges to Ballet in spring 2025. It has produced eight full-length ballets, including the world premiere of The Long Black Veil in October 2024 featuring original music composed and performed by Cat Lines, and created the holiday ballet The Fantastic Toyshop first as a film in December 2020 and then as a full-length ballet in 2021. The company has commissioned eight new works by emerging choreographers, begun annual tours to New York City in March 2023, and delivered over fifteen community outreach events in schools, libraries, senior centers, and other settings. It has donated over 600 tickets to other nonprofits and local charities and states that it is committed to making dance more accessible and to providing equitable access to all programming for all audiences.
Educational outreach includes programming in schools, libraries, senior centers, and partnerships with fellow nonprofits throughout the region. The organization describes itself as “The Heart of Ballet in New England” and as a professional ballet company and academy.
Reviews of performances include a comment from The Dance Enthusiast calling it “a fun show and a good caliber for such a young company” from NEBT's New York debut in March 2023. Kimolee Eryn Reviews wrote that “Gnatowski’s vision astoundingly captures the tragic essence of desire and sacrifice, making The Red Shoes a remarkable success that delves into the depths of the human psyche.” An audience member, Billy Pratt, described one performance as “wonderfully dark though still family-friendly and beautifully choreographed” and said it was his favorite performance of all time.
Last updated July 10, 2026.
The School of New England Ballet Theatre is a professional ballet company and academy that launched in February 2021 to train the next generation of dancers. It was founded on January 22, 2020 by Rachael Gnatowski. The organization states that its mission is to provide high-quality performances, to inspire through exceptional educational programs, and to cultivate an appreciation for dance throughout the community.
The School of New England Ballet Theatre has created an endowment fund in January 2025, established the Young Choreographer Award in February 2025, and launched the adaptive dance program Bridges to Ballet in spring 2025. It has produced eight full-length ballets, including the world premiere of The Long Black Veil in October 2024 featuring original music composed and performed by Cat Lines, and created the holiday ballet The Fantastic Toyshop first as a film in December 2020 and then as a full-length ballet in 2021. The company has commissioned eight new works by emerging choreographers, begun annual tours to New York City in March 2023, and delivered over fifteen community outreach events in schools, libraries, senior centers, and other settings. It has donated over 600 tickets to other nonprofits and local charities and states that it is committed to making dance more accessible and to providing equitable access to all programming for all audiences.
Educational outreach includes programming in schools, libraries, senior centers, and partnerships with fellow nonprofits throughout the region. The organization describes itself as “The Heart of Ballet in New England” and as a professional ballet company and academy.
Reviews of performances include a comment from The Dance Enthusiast calling it “a fun show and a good caliber for such a young company” from NEBT's New York debut in March 2023. Kimolee Eryn Reviews wrote that “Gnatowski’s vision astoundingly captures the tragic essence of desire and sacrifice, making The Red Shoes a remarkable success that delves into the depths of the human psyche.” An audience member, Billy Pratt, described one performance as “wonderfully dark though still family-friendly and beautifully choreographed” and said it was his favorite performance of all time.
Last updated July 10, 2026.
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