ABOUT NBT

Beth Kaczmarek in No More Strangers.

Photograph by Rob Kunkle

Napoles Ballet Theatre is a non-profit professional contemporary ballet company located in San Francisco. By offering an uncharacteristic ballet experience, NBT exposes people to the thrilling beauty of contemporary dance. With dynamic choreography set on classically trained dancers, the Company’s ambition is to bring a whole new audience to “The Ballet,” and to show people who are unfamiliar with dance, that anyone can develop an appreciation for the performing arts.  

Napoles Ballet was incorporated as a non-profit organization in May 2007. Since then, the company has produced ten original ballets (including 5 premieres), been featured guest artists with numerous ballet schools throughout California, developed a community outreach program, and participated in five dance festivals, including the prestigious International Ballet Festival of Miami in 2009.

Mr. Napoles immigrated to the US from Cuba in 1994. He started dancing at 10 years old, inspired by the music and dancing at neighborhood parties as well as the carnivals that often toured through his home town of Santiago, Cuba. These things shaped his movement style and have influenced his choreography ever since.

He was encouraged by his mother, who allowed him to enroll in The National School of the Arts in Havana where he studied for six years. Mr. Napoles went on to dance and choreograph professionally in both Cuba and the US, but his dream was always to have a company of his own. “My main purpose is to create a professional ballet company using unique, contemporary styles mixed with essences of my cultural background,” says Napoles, “and I’m excited to share this new and powerful dance experience with the Bay Area.”

By subtly blending classical ballet technique with Afro-Cuban dance, modern dance and theater, Luis  Napoles has created a unique dance form and his dramatic pieces are said to push the limits of both conventional and contemporary ballet. This exciting company stimulates and moves the audience with athletic, original and emotional dancing.

Photograph by Scott Belding