Founded in 1996, Ballet Quad Cities is the longest running fully professional ballet company in the Western Illinois region. Based in Rock Island, the company brings exhilarating performances to the area, often including the Christmas classic, “The Nutcracker,” and their own variations of famous ballets such as “Carmen.”

Alongside their performances each season, Ballet Quad Cities uses ballet as a tool to facilitate lessons in literacy, social-emotional development and physical activity through their outreach program that visits local schools, libraries, youth centers and organizations within the area.

Each year, the company continues their outreach efforts by offering matinee performances for local third graders of “The Nutcracker” that allow students to experience the fun of attending a ballet performance, all while giving them a closer look at how variations in costuming and lighting can tell a story.

The company consists of 13 professional dancers from all over the country. Ballet Quad Cities opens casting for “The Nutcracker” to the community each year, providing local youth with the opportunity to perform in a professional piece.

Ballet Quad Cities also operates a school of dance where local youth can learn classical ballet, pointe, modern and jazz from professional dancers and choreographers. They also offer adult ballet classes to the community.

For more information and to view a list of upcoming performances, visit the Ballet Quad Cities website.