Specialties
Boldly Reimagining Ballet in Rhode Island
Ballet RI, the premiere dance company in Rhode Island, is the proud evolution of Festival Ballet Providence as it continues to embark on an innovative future.
Through performances, education, and community engagement, Ballet RI reimagines a traditional dance form into a modern-day experience.
This new brand is a commitment to our home state and community and a continued reimagination, setting the stage for a bold and innovative future.
History
Established in 1978.
Originally named Festival Ballet of Rhode Island (FBRI), Ballet RI was founded in 1978 by two former Royal Winnipeg Ballet Principal Dancers, prima ballerina Christine Hennessey and her partner Winthrop Corey. The pair led FBRI for almost 20 years, establishing it as a force in the New England dance community and one of the strongest regional companies in the country.
In 1998, Mihailo “Misha” Djuric was selected to direct the Company. With his ambitious vision, FBRI broadened audiences, diversified its repertory, and incorporated an unprecedented number of emerging choreographers.
In 2019, a year before announcing his retirement, Djuric played a central role in bringing in the then principal dancer with Boston Ballet, Kathleen Breen Combes, as its new Executive Director. In 2020 Breen Combes was appointed Director by the Board of Trustees, and Yury Yanowsky, also a dancer and choreographer from Boston Ballet, as its new Artistic Curator and Resident Choreographer.
Meet the Manager: Kathleen C.
Artistic Director
Kathleen Breen Combes, from Rockville Centre, NY, trained at the Fort Lauderdale Ballet Classique, the HARID Conservatory, and The Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. In 2000 she joined the Washington Ballet. She joined Boston Ballet in 2003 and was promoted to second soloist in 2005, soloist in 2007, and to principal dancer in 2009.
Breen Combes holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University in Communications and Management and a Graduate Certificate in Non-profit Management. She is also Co-Director of Dance YaNOWsky, a 10 member touring company. She has worked at Boston Ballet in the Development and Artistic Administrative departments, was Co-chair of the Young Partners Council from 2011-2013 and was the AGMA Union representative for the company from 2012-2016. In 2014, Breen Combes created a TedEd video entitled "Rethinking Ballet" and has been a guest speaker at The University of MA, University of Tokyo, Northeastern University and Harvard.