New Orleans Ballet Association

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New Orleans Ballet Association Founded in 1969, NOBA is the Central Gulf region’s premiere presenting and service non-profit organization dedicated solely to the art of dance.

Mission:

New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) cultivates understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of dance through performance, education, and community service. Community Profile:

Dynamic programs and innovative strategies position NOBA as the leading dance presenting and service organization in Louisiana. Over 30,000 people are served annually through two programming arms:

• The Main Stage Series, a full season of performances by world-class dance companies of all genres presented at the Mahalia Jackson Theater and in partnership with NOCCA and Tulane University.
• Comprehensive, internationally recognized education, health/wellness, and arts healing programs that educate, train, and nurture individuals ages 3-80+ through 5,000+ tuition-free classes and outreach activities annually at up to 20 neighborhood sites, as well as virtually since March 2020. Since 1992, NOBA has made the art of dance accessible to underserved families – tuition-free –to fill the urgent need presented by parents, community organizations, and schools. NOBA's lead partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD) established the Center for Dance (CFD), a nationally renowned cultural community partnership. NOBA has leveraged the CFD's success to address the ongoing need and growing demand for meaningful arts programming through collaborations with schools, community centers, housing developments, and churches in Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes. Key priorities and objectives:

•To reduce and eliminate barriers to ensure equal access for all
•To provide high-quality arts education programs that develop the talent of today's youth.
•To enhance and strengthen the cultural workforce through employment and ongoing professional development opportunities for local artists.
•To produce and present high-caliber dance
•To create and sustain partnerships to further extend and execute NOBA's mission and priorities. For more information and current class offerings, please visit http://www.nobadance.com.

10/15/2026

A wet stage, iconic 80s rhythms, and pure athletic power.

If you are a fan of MOMIX, you already know the visionary mind of co-founder Moses Pendleton. Before founding MOMIX, Pendleton was a founding member of Pilobolus, helping craft some of the most dynamic repertoire in physical theater.
Enter "Day Two."

Created in 1980, this celebrated piece imagines the second day of life on Earth. Set to pulsating, art-rock tracks, "Day Two" builds into an unbelievable, high-energy finale performed on a water-covered stage. Dancers slide, leap, and defy gravity in a celebration of pure physical force.

It remains one of the most thrilling works in the Pilobolus catalog.

📍 Catch this masterpiece on stage in New Orleans!
Oct 17 | 7:30PM
🎟️ Reserve your seats now at the link in bio or NOBAdance.com

Connecting world-class dance with local community care! 🌟NOBA is proud to bring together artists from PILOBOLUS  and loc...
10/14/2026

Connecting world-class dance with local community care! 🌟

NOBA is proud to bring together artists from PILOBOLUS and local healthcare clown organization Prescription Joy for a special collaborative residency at Manning Family Children's Hospital.

Presented by NOBA, this unique partnership kicks off Thursday, October 15, with a Pediatric Creative Movement Workshop for patients and families, followed by a joint pop-up performance in the main concourse on Friday, October 16 at 11 AM combining dance, interactive clowning, and improvisational theater.

And of course, don't miss Pilobolus's main stage performance on Saturday, Oct 17! 🤸Tickets at NOBAdance.com

A century of movement, reimagined for right now.Martha Graham changed dance forever with "Lamentation," expressing raw h...
10/12/2026

A century of movement, reimagined for right now.

Martha Graham changed dance forever with "Lamentation," expressing raw human emotion through shape and tension.

Fast forward to today: Pilobolus joins the global GRAHAM100 centennial celebration with their contribution to the Lamentation Variations Project. Born out of a commemorative response to 9/11, this work builds upon 1940s archival film of Graham to craft a striking, modern exploration of memory, loss and connection.
Featuring an evocative soundscape by Matt Kent with classic recordings retrieved from the Library of Congress, it is a brief, powerful testament to the timelessness of modern dance.

📍 See it live at the Mahalia Jackson Theater!
Oct 17 | 7:30PM
🎟️ Tickets at NOBAdance.com

Move, connect, and build confidence ✨ FREE Workshops with Pilobolus! Spread the news! Ahead of their main stage performa...
10/10/2026

Move, connect, and build confidence ✨ FREE Workshops with Pilobolus!

Spread the news! Ahead of their main stage performance on Oct 17, Pilobolus is coming early to New Orleans for a special community residency. Visiting teaching artists will lead two free, evidence-based workshops designed to support stability, mobility, and joy through movement for community members of all mobility levels.

📍 Connecting with Balance
🗓 Wednesday, October 14 | 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
🏢 New Orleans JCC (5342 St. Charles Ave.)
Focuses on improving stability, mobility, and creative expression while keeping you safely on your feet.

📍 Bounce Back
🗓 Thursday, October 15 | 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
🏢 Lyons Rec Center (624 Louisiana Ave.)
Teaches practical techniques to handle unexpected trips safely, minimize injury risk, and get back up with ease.

💡 Good to Know: Both events are completely free with no advance registration required. On-site check-in opens 30 minutes prior to each session.

Full residency details: https://nobadance.com/pilobolus-in-new-orleans/

Photos courtesy of Pilobolus.

Don't miss Sumayah McRae's final adult ballet class! 🩰✨Join us next Wednesday, October 14, for guest artist Sumayah McRa...
10/09/2026

Don't miss Sumayah McRae's final adult ballet class! 🩰✨

Join us next Wednesday, October 14, for guest artist Sumayah McRae's last session before completing her guest teaching residency. Don't miss this final opportunity to train with the Juilliard graduate, former Parsons Dance company member, and Joffrey Ballet School faculty member!

📍 Lyons Rec Center
Wednesdays | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Intermediate/Advanced Teen & Adult Ballet

✨ Coming Up Next: Beginning October 21, international ballet artist and former Armitage Gone! Dance soloist Emily Wagner returns to lead Wednesday classes for the rest of the fall session.

💡 Registration & Info: Fall & Spring Adult Ballet classes are tuition-free with a $50 annual registration fee due upon enrollment. Need-based financial assistance is available.

Register today: https://nobadance.com/classes/adult-classes/

10/07/2026

LAST CHANCE for center orchestra seats all season long! 🚨

Only a few center orchestra seats remain, and access is reserved exclusively for our Grand Subscribers. Subscribe today to save 20%, unlock prime center seating, and enjoy exclusive benefits ahead of our season opener.

Get the best seats for the best price for the entire season of world-class dance:

✨ Pilobolus, Oct 17
✨ Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Nov 14
✨ Argentina's Tango After Dark, Feb 20
✨ Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Mar 13-14
✨ Houston Ballet "Madame Butterfly," Apr 17

Looking for flexibility? Save 15% when you create your custom schedule with a Build Your Own Package.

NOBAdance.com

See why critics around the world are raving about Pilobolus 🤸An exclusive program of breathtaking physicality, sly humor...
09/25/2026

See why critics around the world are raving about Pilobolus 🤸

An exclusive program of breathtaking physicality, sly humor, and raw power hits the stage on Oct 17. Don't miss your chance to experience this exhilarating performance live!

🎟️ Single tickets & subscriber packages available! It's not too late to subscribe, save, and unlock prime center seats for the entire season. NOBAdance.com

Step into a world of wit, wonder, and weightless magic 🌀✨A longtime favorite returns to the stage on Oct 17 with an exhi...
09/24/2026

Step into a world of wit, wonder, and weightless magic 🌀✨

A longtime favorite returns to the stage on Oct 17 with an exhilarating program crafted exclusively for our city. With astonishing strength and imagination, Pilobolus transforms bodies in motion into works that are playful, provocative, poignant, and powerful.

Here is a look at the incredible repertory heading your way:
✨ Bloodlines – A striking work exploring generational bonds and human connection.
✨ Walklyndon – Pure, playful slapstick and signature Pilobolus humor.
✨ Lamentation Variations – A moving, modern response to Martha Graham’s iconic original.
✨ Day Two – A high-energy classic overflowing with primal power and astonishing movement.

🎟️ Tickets on sale now! It’s not too late to subscribe, save, and unlock prime center seats for the entire season. NOBAdance.com

Spend an exclusive evening with ballet royalty!On October 6, BRAVO members are invited to an intimate season kick-off at...
09/24/2026

Spend an exclusive evening with ballet royalty!

On October 6, BRAVO members are invited to an intimate season kick-off at the Four Seasons Private Residences. The highlight of the night? Our guest of honor: Houston Ballet's Artistic Director Julie Kent!

The longest-serving ballerina in American Ballet Theatre history and star of Center Stage, Julie Kent is one of the most celebrated figures in American dance.
Want to be in the room for moments like this? BRAVO volunteers help power NOBA's tuition-free community education programs and world-class Main Stage performances all year long.

✨ Join BRAVO today to secure your invitation to this exclusive event and help support the arts in New Orleans. https://nobadance.com/support/support-bravo/

09/11/2026

☀️🩰 As the final days of summer wrap up and we gear up for fall classes starting next week, we’re looking back on an unforgettable milestone for our young artists.

This summer, our students and NOBA alumni took the stage alongside guest artists Joan Rodriguez and Katie García in a stunning Summer Dance Concert, performing excerpts of BODYTRAFFIC repertoire after three weeks of rigorous training. Through our tuition-free pre-professional program, these dancers worked directly with world-class forces from the Los Angeles-based contemporary powerhouse to hone their technique, athleticism, and artistry.

Hear from Joan and Katie as they reflect on what makes NOBA’s pre-professional training so unique, and get a glimpse of our dancers in action!

Our tuition-free fall classes begin next week! Limited spots at select centers are still available at https://nobadance.com/classes/youth-classes/

Address

935 Gravier Street, Suite 800
New Orleans, LA
70112

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5am
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 2:30pm

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