Founded in 1965 by Oakland native Ronn Guidi, and currently under the direction of Graham Lustig, Oakland Ballet Company celebrates over half a century of critically acclaimed choreographed works, worldwide performances, dedicated dance training, and impactful educational programs helping empower our community quality of life. 

The Oakland Ballet Company revived iconic works by renowned choreographers such as Kurt Jooss, Michel Fokine, Charles Weidman, and Antony Tudor. OBC also championed American masterpieces, presenting Eugene Loring’s Billy the Kid, Ruthanna Boris’s Cakewalk, and Agnes de Mille’s Fall River Legend. The company continues this tradition today commissioning works from local choreographers such as Betsy Erickson, Michael Lowe, Robert Moses, and Amy Seiwert.

Graham Lustig became Artistic Director of OBC in 2010 and presented a new production of The Nutcracker at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre, as well as an annual Spring season rooted in contemporary works creating partnerships with local artists such as the TurfFeinz and Nava Dance Theater.  In 2016, he began presenting Luna Mexicana, a celebration of Día de los Muertos, at the Paramount and throughout schools in the East Bay. He expanded OBC’s education programs. Discover Dance providing in-school and in-theater assemblies, reaching more than 12,000 East Bay students each year, and You Can Dance! bringing movement-based learning into the schools. 

In March of 2022, in collaboration with the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Lustig launched a new initiative titled The Dancing Moons Festival in celebration of Asian American Pacific Island choreographers, composers and designers.