Biz Buzz: Eric Sanborn of The Metropolitan Ballet

Business: The Metropolitan Ballet

Your Name: Erik Sanborn

Job Title: Founder & Artistic Director

Give us a brief overview of your business and what services you provide the community:

The Metropolitan Ballet is a Twin Cities organization founded by Founder & Artistic Director Erik Sanborn with a mission of uniting the communities of dance, music, and theater in staging high impact works in the performing art of dance and providing dance instruction with an emphasis on accessibility, diversity, and affordability.

The company has staged Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, Dracula, Agnes De Milles’ Rodeo, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Carmen by Alberto Alonso, Dracula set to a new score, Amadeus the Ballet, The Ballet Russes Festival, Le Corsaire, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, several contemporary works, an annual Nutcracker in collaboration with The Kenwood Symphony Orchestra since 2007, and classic galas showcasing Chopiniana, Spectre de la Rose, The Dying Swan, The Fairy Dolls, and Esmarelda.

How many years have you been in business?

We’ve been in business since 1998. Our first major production was produced in 2004 with the staging of Romeo and Juliet.

What’s something unique we should know about your business?

Our organization has a special focus on bringing the tradition of ballet into the 21^st century by sharing full-length classical ballets with the community. We present these performances collaborating with musicians to present our performances with live music.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I enjoy working with young artists as they pursue success in their craft. It’s rewarding to be a part of the development of young artists over the course of years as they discover the world of ballet.

What’s the best thing about working with the LGBTQ community?

Many of the artists engaged by the Metropolitan Ballet are members of the LGBTQ community and we’re proud of providing a venue where these folks can develop and showcase their talents—it’s great working with great people. When I think of the LGBTQ community, I think of people celebrating the best version of themselves in whatever identity they choose. In our productions, we create an environment where all our performers can bring their personalities to the table and encourage a space that fosters exploration and free expression. This openness is critical to producing compelling performances.

Does your business have anything new, fun or unique happening on the horizon?

Yes! We’re celebrating our 25-year history with a compelling season including Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Giselle, Don Quixote, and Romeo and Juliet. Of special note, the season includes our return to Northrop with a special presentation of Giselle featuring world-class performers Daniil Simkin and Skylar Brandt.

If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing?

I would be wishing I was! Jokes aside, I would be playing the piano more, composing music, painting, writing poetry, and sailing on my boat.