This week, as we continue to highlight the history of Louisville Ballet leading up to the opening of our 65th season on September 9th with Stars + Stripes, we usher in the 1960s.  This decade brought a great deal of growth and change to the organization and its impact on the Louisville community and beyond.  In 1960, the name was officially changed to the Louisville Civic Ballet, suggesting a shift in focus to local talent.  For the first time, dancers auditioned for a place in a company instead of auditioning for individual performances.

There was also a new guest Artistic Director at the helm.  Fernand Nault, who was also the Ballet Master of the American Ballet Theatre, served as resident choreographer and director and offered consistency in training that the Ballet had not seen before.  He was held in high regard and greatly admired by the dancers.

(Images from The Courier Journal archives)