Oregon Ballet Theatre records and memorabilia

Collection

Identifier: Coll 1107

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of records and memorabilia of Oregon Ballet Theatre, a ballet company based in Portland, Oregon. Most of these materials are performance playbills, administrative records, and posters. The administrative records include articles of incorporation, bylaws, board minutes, annual reports, audited financial statements, agreements, and records relating to the merger of Pacific Ballet Theatre and Ballet Oregon that created Oregon Ballet Theatre. Other materials in the collection include a "ballet bible" of production credits for world premieres and company premieres; a 10th anniversary souvenir book; a statement of the company's stances toward ballot measures in the 2000 election; materials relating to lobbying for the Trust for Cultural Development Bill in 2001; a calendar for 2009; a program for a Ballet Northwest benefit performance; and two photographs of dancers Melissa St. Clair and Kelly Schleigh. The collection also includes audited financial statements for Oregon Ballet Theatre's predecessor ballet companies, Pacific Ballet Theatre and Ballet Oregon.

Dates

Creation: 1987-2024

Creator

Oregon Ballet Theatre (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Board minutes are restricted for 10 years after creation, then are open for research. Dancer contracts in Box 5, Folder 1, are restricted until 2060. All other materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Administrative History

Oregon Ballet Theatre is a ballet company based in Portland, Oregon. It was formed in 1989 by the merger of the ballet companies Pacific Theatre Ballet and Ballet Oregon. Its first director was James Canfield, who held the position until 2003. Subsequent directors were Christopher Stowell, Kevin Irving, and Danielle Rowe. As of 2025, the company employed more than 300 people.

Sources: "2 ballet companies to merge; debut set Oct. 27," by Martha Ullman West, the Oregonian, August 25, 1989, page E3; "Five-tiered cake celebrates marriage of two ballet companies," by Beverly Butterworth, the Oregonian, November 5, 1989, page L2; feature, "Meet the arts leaders," Oregonian Fall Arts Guide, September 5, 2003, page 4; "Oregon Ballet Theatre selects Irving as new artistic director," by Marty Hughley, the Oregonian, June 8, 2013, page C1; "OBT names first woman as artistic director," by Kristi Turnquist, the Oregonian, February 15, 2023, page A18; "About" section on Oregon Ballet Theatre website (accessed October 2025), https://www.obt.org/ballet-company-in-portland/

Extent

3.5 Cubic Feet (1 record carton; 3 legal document cases; 1 slim legal document case; 1 flat box (20x24); 1 oversize folder (22x28))

Language of Materials

English

Korean

Additional Description

Abstract

Records and memorabilia of Oregon Ballet Theatre, a ballet company based in Portland, Oregon. Materials include administrative records, financial records, playbills, and posters. Oregon Ballet Theatre was formed in 1989 through the merger of Pacific Ballet Theatre and Ballet Oregon.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Oregon Ballet Theatre, October 2024 (RL2024-099).

Related Materials

Other materials at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library relating to Oregon Ballet Theatre are in the Performing Arts Collection, Mss 1523.

Separated Materials

Pins, T-shirts, autographed pointe shoe, and commemorative dishware were separated to Museum Collections, Oregon Historical Society.

Processing Information

Collection was processed in 2025 by Jeffrey Hayes. In the course of processing, a bound volume of records was unbound, and dancer contracts from the volume were separated for restriction of personal details not related to the terms of the contract. Two dancer contracts from the 1989-1990 season were photocopied with personal details redacted to provide researchers with examples of contract terms.