Ballet RI is Rhode Island’s premier professional ballet company, captivating audiences with a diverse repertoire of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary dance in various venues across Rhode Island.

Formerly known as Festival Ballet Rhode Island, Ballet RI was founded in1978 by Christine Hennessy and Winthrop Corey, both former principal dancers with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. In 1988, Mihailo Djuric was appointed Artistic Director. During his 22-year tenure, Mr. Djuric expanded the company’s repertoire, developing a strong resident company with a growing national and international reputation.

Over the past five years, Ballet Rhode Island has undergone a remarkable transformation, one defined by growth, innovation, and a renewed commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement.

In 2019, Kathleen Breen Combes, a former principal dancer with Boston Ballet, was hired as Executive Director.  Her unique combination of artistic experience and strategic leadership brought new energy to the organization. in 2020, Breen Combes was named Director, leading Ballet RI through one of the most challenging periods in recent history. Under her guidance, the company returned to the stage stronger than ever, navigating the pandemic with creativity and resilience.

Since 2020, Ballet RI has significantly expanded its reach and impact. The company has deepened its commitment to presenting a wide-ranging repertoire, balancing groundbreaking contemporary works with timeless classical masterworks and has prioritized accessibility, diversity, and education in meaningful new ways. With performances now staged across the region including at The Veterans Memorial Auditorium, The Woodman Performing Arts Center, the University of Rhode Island, the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center in Fall River, MA, and as the resident dance company at the United Theater in Westerly, Ballet RI has firmly established itself as a leading cultural force in Southern New England.

In May 2023, the organization took a major step forward by rebranding as Ballet Rhode Island. This change marked more than a new name, it signaled a renewed mission: to reimagine classical ballet as a modern, inclusive art form that reflects the rich diversity of Rhode Island’s communities.  In 2025 Breen Combes was named Artistic Executive Director.

Ballet RI continues to operate from its East Side Providence home at 825 Hope Street, where its Black Box Theater and state-of-the-art studios host its acclaimed Up Close on Hope and chatterBOXtheatre series. As it moves boldly into the future, Ballet RI remains rooted in a legacy that began in 1978 with founders Christine Hennessy and Winthrop Corey, while building a company that reflects the possibilities of ballet today.