America’s National Ballet Company® will take to the road this summer, traveling by bus and truck to eight U.S. cities and arriving in St. Louis on Wednesday, July 14. A group of St. Louis arts leaders including Susan Sherman, former America Ballet Theatre (ABT) board member, Center of Creative Arts (COCA) and St. Louis Shakespeare Festival will present “ABT Across America” for two performances at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on July 14 outdoors at Shakespeare Glen, Forest Park.

ABT Across America builds on ABT’s history of cross-country tours in the 1940s and 1950s. ABT annually tours the United States, performing for more than 300,000 people, and is the only major cultural institution to do so. On April 27, 2006, by an act of Congress, American Ballet Theatre was designated America’s National Ballet Company®

For over 80 years, the Company has appeared in a total of 45 countries and has performed in all 50 states of the United States. ABT has recently enjoyed triumphant successes with engagements in Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong. The 2021 eight-city tour includes Lincoln, Nebraska, Iowa City, Iowa, Chicago, Illinois, Minneapolis, Minnesota, St. Louis, Missouri, Charleston, South Carolina, Middleburg, Virginia and New York, New York.

“St. Louis stepped up to bring one of our country's dance treasures to our city this summer,” said former ABT Board Member Susan Sherman. “In less than two weeks, we raised the funds to put St. Louis on the tour. The two performances in Forest Park are FREE and open to all — a real cause for celebration after more than a year of no 'live' performances.”

20 ABT dancers and 28 support crew will travel across 14 states, for a total of 3,100 miles, performing outdoors for socially distanced audiences in public parks and parking lots. There will also be two ballet masterclasses, taught by ABT dancers, which will take place for intermediate and advanced dancers on July 14 at COCA. Registration is required to attend the master classes. Enrollment will be limited to 14 students in each master class, on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested students can learn more and register here.

The St. Louis performances on July 14  at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. are free and open to the public, no reservations are required. The programs are the same for both shows. Learn more on St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s website, stlshakes.org/abt.

Seating is first come first serve. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. Read the full list of COVID-19 safety measures here.

STL Barkeep will be serving tasty drinks in Shakespeare Glen. Options include wine, craft cocktails, and a selection of Schlafly beer. Soft drinks and water will also be available for purchase. There will be no food available on-site. Guests are allowed to bring in outside food and drink.