Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre will present its acclaimed production of "Carmen" at The Broad Stage on Aug. 24, showcasing a company whose roots stretch back seven decades to the golden age of ballet.
The 5:30 p.m. performance marks a significant moment for the troupe, which traces its lineage to the legendary Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo through founder Andrei Tremaine and now operates under the artistic direction of his daughter, Natasha Middleton.
"Carmen," first premiered by the company in 2017, represents one of Middleton's most celebrated original works. The full-length ballet reimagines the famous tale of love, jealousy and freedom through what Middleton describes as bold choreography and dramatic storytelling.
The production stars principal dancers in the lead roles, supported by an ensemble that blends local talent with international artists — a hallmark of Middleton's approach since she revived her father's company in 2001.
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre's history began in 1954 when Tremaine, a former dancer with the famed Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, established Pacific Ballet Theatre in Los Angeles after returning from international touring. Under his direction, the company trained and featured numerous notable dancers, including renowned ballet artists Cynthia Gregory, Charles Maple, Anne Marie De Angelo and Evelyn Cisneros.
The company gained recognition for its quality productions, earning sponsorship from the city of Santa Monica to present "The Nutcracker" annually for many years. Tremaine was even honored by Santa Monica's mayor for his contributions to the arts.
When Tremaine retired in 1990, he passed his knowledge and repertoire to his daughter, ensuring the family's ballet legacy would continue. Natasha Middleton comes from an illustrious performing arts lineage — her grandmother, Elena Wortova, was a ballerina who danced with the Ballet Russes, and her mother, Natalie Garrotto, was a soprano with the San Francisco Opera.
Middleton began ballet training at age 5 under her father's instruction and performed many leading roles with Pacific Ballet Theatre before a near-fatal car accident ended her performing career and pushed her fully into choreography and direction.
She formally launched the revived company in 2001, initially as Media City Ballet, reflecting its base in Burbank. The troupe adopted its current name, Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre, in 2012 — a change Middleton felt better conveyed the dynamic, high-energy productions and broad repertory the company would pursue.
As an award-winning choreographer, Middleton has created an impressive array of original full-length story ballets, including "Hansel & Gretel," "The Little Match Girl" and a unique interpretation of "The Nutcracker," while also reviving classics from the Ballet Russe era.
Her creative versatility extends beyond the stage. In 2020, she created a short dance film titled "Dissension Within," which won Best Dance Film Short awards in multiple countries, including Germany and Japan, and was featured in the Burbank International Film Festival.
Under Middleton's guidance, Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre emphasizes what she calls theatrical, "high atmosphere" ballet productions that honor the Ballet Russe tradition while engaging modern audiences. She describes her approach as "almost as if they tried to bring the film screen onto the stage."
The company continues to operate from its Burbank base, where Middleton also directs the affiliated Media City Dance school. Through this academy, she has trained many young dancers who later joined PBDT's ranks, creating what she calls a community-oriented approach that has built both a loyal following and a strong talent pipeline.
Today, Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre stands as one of the major ballet companies in the greater Los Angeles area, attracting first-class talent from around the world while maintaining its commitment to the passionate, expressive storytelling that has defined three generations of the Tremaine-Middleton family legacy.
Tickets for the Aug. 24 performance of "Carmen" at The Broad Stage, located at 1310 11th St. in Santa Monica, are available through the company's website at pbdtla.org.