Resident ballet company in Chicago from 1980-1987, formed by Maria Tallchief.

Tallchief, a former prima ballerina under (and former wife of) George Balanchine, directed a ballet and school to support the Lyric Opera from 1974-1979. When funding was cut, she founded the Chicago City Ballet as an independent organization in January 1980 with funding from her husband Henry Paschen. During the company’s brief history, it performed at the Auditorium Theatre, Chicago Theatre, Grant Park, and other venues throughout the Chicago area. The company also toured throughout the United States, and in 1983 embarked on a European World Tour.

The early repertoire consisted exclusively of Balanchine works until 1982, when Paul Mejia joined the company as Co-Artistic Director, adding several of his works to the company’s repertoire. Among those, Cinderella became a Thanksgiving holiday tradition. The affiliated Chicago City Ballet School was directed by Marjorie Tallchief Skibine, Maria’s younger sister, and many students performed alongside the ballet company in its production of Cinderella.

A severe split in the board of directors of the company and financial issues resulted in the hiring of a single artistic director, Daniel Duell, in 1987. By the end of 1987, the Chicago City Ballet officially dissolved. The affiliated school continued to operate until closing in 1993.