The Company 

Berks Ballet Theatre is proud to enter its 50th season under the artistic direction of Nathan Bland, continuing its legacy as a premier institution in Berks County. With a rich history of training dancers who have gone on to prestigious companies such as Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Sarasota Ballet, Louisville Ballet, Rochester City Ballet, and more, BBT remains a cornerstone of the local arts community.

All company dancers are students of Berks Ballet Theatre Conservatory of Dance, where they receive exceptional training in both classical and contemporary dance. This season, under Nathan Bland’s leadership, BBT will present three major performances: The Nutcracker with the Reading Pops Orchestra on December 20 & 21, ChoreographyLAB on March 7, 2026, and Swan Lake on May 9, 2026.

Founded by Carol Ennis in 1976, Berks Ballet Theatre was built on the philosophy that, with the proper training and opportunities, any dancer could achieve their dreams of joining major ballet companies. Today, BBT continues to nurture this vision while performing for many local organizations, including the Reading Pops Orchestra, Reading Symphony Orchestra, Berks Arts Council, and the Reading Public Museum. BBT’s state-of-the-art studios are located in The GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, providing dancers with a vibrant, creative environment that fosters artistic growth and community engagement.

Our Mission

It is Berks Ballet Theatre’s mission to build an ever-strong artistic base for the dance company by providing scholarship opportunities for serious students of dance, identifying cooperative performance opportunities with community groups, and creating greater public awareness and appreciation for the art of dance.




Latest Company News:

Reading Eagle: Berks Ballet Theatre to present ‘The Nutcracker’ at KU [Spotlight]

Half a century after first bringing “The Nutcracker” to Berks County audiences, BBT’s golden-year production honors its legacy while embracing a fresh artistic vision under the direction of Artistic Director Nathan Bland. Audiences can expect dazzling choreography, vivid new costumes and a full live orchestra — all hallmarks of the company’s signature production — elevated for this special season. Click