About Atlantic City Ballet

AC Ballet

Founded in 1982, by Phyllis Papa the Atlantic City Ballet serves as a prime artistic resource to the residents of Atlantic City and the surrounding areas. The company is comprised of professional dancers from around the world and have earned national acclaim for their technical expertise and exuberant stage presence. AC Ballet offers access to fully-staged performances by a highly skilled company of professional dancers and educational programs designed to fit the needs of a diverse student population. Their community outreach initiatives encourage appreciation of and participation in the art form. The Atlantic City Ballet honors the diversity of world cultures through the engagement of a multicultural company of professional dancers. Although their home base is in Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, the Ballet has performed in theaters all along the east coast and across the country. Their repertoire of original works includes such classics as A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. However, Ms. Papa is most known for her innovative works such as Dracula, Romeo and Juliet and her full length Carmen. Since its inception, the Atlantic City Ballet has served as one of the cultural treasures of New Jersey and continues a tradition of dance excellence for future generations of ballet audiences.


STATEMENT OF EQUALITY and Nondiscrimination: The Atlantic City Ballet does not discriminate in any of its functions based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, nation of origin, ancestry, age or gender identity. ACB can accommodate persons with disabilities with advanced notice of 2-3 weeks. (Assisted listening, audio description, etc…)


Phyllis Papa

Founding Artistic Director/Choreographer


Phyllis Papa, founder and Artistic Director, has choreographed over thirty ballets and has been the recipient of many grants including the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowship Grant. 


Her career has taken her around the world, dancing for major companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, and Stars of American Ballet where she has performed for President Johnson, the Shah of Iran, and numerous Royal Command Performances in Europe. King Frederick IX of Denmark was known to be one of her biggest fans. She has had principal parts in Les Sylphide, Etudes, Swan Lake, The Lady, and the Fool, and Triumph of Death and her partners included some of the most famous male dancers: Peter Martins, Russell Chambers, Fernando Bujones, and Larry Rhodes. 


As principal ballerina of Stars of American Ballet, she accepted the role of Artistic Director. She has also worked for the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Development, creating and teaching a program for Neurological brain growth. 


In 1998, Ms. Papa received the Brazilian Gold Medal of Honor, awarded by diplomats from Brazil, England, Italy, China, and the US. Ms. Papa is listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who of the World, The Social Directory, and the National Biographical Society. 


In 1999 Ms. Papa founded the ACBT Performing Arts Academy, the official school of the Atlantic City Ballet. 


In 2015 she was elected to the Hall of Fame of the American Repertory Ballet. Ms. Papa has been justly acclaimed as “one of the finest dancers and teachers on the American scene today.”


See the new video "40 Years of the Atlantic City Ballet".


Phyllis

Papa

Founding Artistic Director/Choreographer


Phyllis Papa, founder and Artistic Director, has choreographed over thirty ballets and has been the recipient of many grants including the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowship Grant. 


Her career has taken her around the world, dancing for major companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, and Stars of American Ballet where she has performed for President Johnson, the Shah of Iran, and numerous Royal Command Performances in Europe. King Frederick IX of Denmark was known to be one of her biggest fans. She has had principal parts in Les Sylphide, Etudes, Swan Lake, The Lady, and the Fool, and Triumph of Death and her partners included some of the most famous male dancers: Peter Martins, Russell Chambers, Fernandez Bujones, and Larry Rhodes. 


As principal ballerina of Stars of American Ballet, she accepted the role of Artistic Director. She has also worked for the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Development, creating and teaching a program for Neurological brain growth. 


In 1998, Ms. Papa received the Brazilian Gold Medal of Honor, awarded by diplomats from Brazil, England, Italy, China, and the US. Ms. Papa is listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who of the World, The Social Directory, and the National Biographical Society. 


In 1999 Ms. Papa founded the ACBT Performing Arts Academy, the official school of the Atlantic City Ballet. 


In 2006 she was elected to the Wall of Fame of the American Repertory Ballet. Ms. Papa has been justly acclaimed as “one of the finest dancers and teachers on the American scene today.”


  1. 1967 - 1970
  2. 1970 - 1976
  3. 1970-1976
  4. 1976 - 1980
  5. 1978 - 1980
  6. 1980 - 1982
  7. 1982
  8. 1982 to Present
  9. 1998
  10. 1999
  11. 2015
  1. Phyllis is accepted to American Ballet Theatre
  2. Principal Dancer in Royal Danish Ballet
  3. Performed for King Frederick and Queen Margaret of Denmark
  4. Principal Dancer for Stars of American Ballet
  5. Artistic Director of the Stars of American Ballet
  6. Ballet Mistress for Ballet Elans
  7. Phyllis Founded the Atlantic City Ballet
  8. Artistic Director and Choreagrapher for ACBallet
  9. Ms. Papa receives the Brazilian Gold Medal of Honer
  10. Phyllis Founded ACBT Performing Arts Academy
  11. Awarded to American Repertory Ballet Hall of Fame

Our Mission

To bring the joy, artistry and appreciation for dance to the world's stage through artistic excellence, exhilarating performances, innovative choreography and superb educational programs. This mission is accompanied by a commitment to expand the Company's audience and make ballet accessible to the widest possible public through touring, education programs, the creative use of media, and other outreach efforts.

Our Core

We are a classically trained international company with a diverse repertoire whose range includes the classics as well as new works. •We are a company attracting award winning dancers and providing them an environment where they can thrive and further develop their art form. •We are a professional company accessible to a broad and growing local, national, and international audience. •We are a company with a world-class Academy providing first rate instruction for professional dancers and meaningful programs for non-professional dancers. • We are a company committed to preserving time honored ballets, dance aesthetic, and standards of artistic excellence. • "We are the Atlantic City Ballet!"

Officers

Every officer dedicates their time to the company and makes significant contributions of their time to our organization. 

We are very appreciative of their hard work and dedication.

Ava Holly

President

Barbara

Gomes

Vice President

Claire

Collins

Secretary

Stephen

Huber

Treasurer

Board of Trustees

Every member of our board of trustees is an accomplished leader who has made significant contributions to our organization. 

Each one brings a unique set of skills and expertise. 

Bill McCullough

Dana McCollough

Catherine Kenny

Catherine Mularz

Connie Basile

Dennis Furgione

Elizabeth Navlen

Gail Duffey

Mila McDonough

Paul Hartman

Phyllis Lacca

Roxanne Passarella

Sandy Kahn

Toni Ann Pugliese

The Atmosphere

Atlantic Contemporary Ballet Theatre is located in Atlantic City, NJ. Our classes are held in four bright and spacious studios that are equipped with excellent sound systems. The environment in our classes is energetic, positive, welcoming and high energy. We love to dance, and you’ll feel it. 

Medical Team

The Doctors listed below donate their time and expertise to help the company stay healthy and strong throughout the season. We appreciate their commitment to our company and dancers.

Dr. J. Zimmerman

Chiropractor

Dr. Michael Welch

DPM

Meghan Mattson

Physical Therapist

Staff

Every staff member dedicates their time to the company and makes significant contributions of their time to our organization. 

We are very appreciative of their hard work and dedication.

Phyllis Papa

Founding Artistic Director/ Choreographer

Alexandria Pieroni

Managing Director

Troy Ciccone

Development Director

To Be Named

Company Photographer

Larry McCoy

Booking Agent

Robert Kelly

Accountant