Est. 1982
The Company
Founding Artistic Director & Choreographer
Phyllis Papa
Phyllis Papa, founder and Artistic Director, has choreographed over thirty ballets and has been the recipient of many grants including the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowship Grant. Her career has taken her around the world, dancing for major companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, and Stars of American Ballet.
She has performed for President Johnson, the Shah of Iran, and numerous Royal Command Performances in Europe. King Frederick IX of Denmark was known to be one of her biggest fans. Her partners included some of the most famous male dancers: Peter Martins, Russell Chambers, Fernando Bujones, and Larry Rhodes.
In 1998, Ms. Papa received the Brazilian Gold Medal of Honor, awarded by diplomats from Brazil, England, Italy, China, and the US. In 2015 she was elected to the Hall of Fame of the American Repertory Ballet.
“One of the finest dancers and teachers on the American scene today.”
Our Artists
Company Dancers
Our company is composed of professional dancers who are highly accomplished, energetic, positive, and caring people from all around the globe.
Tiziano Villani
Italy
Federica Sestili
Italy
Caitlin McElroy
USA
Claudio Cirsone
Italy
Jari Pignataro
Italy
Promise Smith
USA
Kirra Matthews
USA
Ionut Zaharia
Romania
Ballet Master
Andrea Vanderwielen
USA
Brenton Taft
USA
Taylor Garcez
Brazil
Ladislas Tirol
USA
Thales Gea
Argentina
Haruna Watanabe
Japan
Apprentice Dancers
Sami Sinopoli
Apprentice
Governance
Leadership & Board
Founding Artistic Director
Phyllis Papa
Officers & Board
The Atlantic City Ballet is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors and Board of Trustees committed to sustaining the company's mission of dance excellence and community enrichment.
Medical Team
The company is supported by a professional medical team including a chiropractor, podiatrist, and physical therapist who ensure the health and well-being of our dancers.
Statement of Equality
The Atlantic City Ballet does not discriminate in any of its functions based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, nation of origin, ancestry, age, or gender identity. The company honors the diversity of world cultures through the engagement of a multicultural company of professional dancers.