Among the notable events in the troupe's history are:
1933: The San Francisco Opera Ballet is established. Its first performance, choreographed by Adolph Bolm, takes place.
1938: Willam Christensen arrives.
1939: The ballet company presents Willam Christensen's “Coppelia,” its first full-length ballet.
1940: The company presents the first full-length U.S. production of “Swan Lake.”
1942: The ballet company becomes independent of the San Francisco Opera.
1944: The company presents the nation's first full-length “Nutcracker.”
1951: Lew Christensen is named director.
1957: The company tours the Far East, the Middle East, and South America.
1965: The San Francisco Ballet debuts in New York City.
1972: The War Memorial Opera House becomes the company's official permanent home.
1973: Michael Smuin joins the company.
1974: The company faces bankruptcy, but a grassroots fundraising effort saves the day.
1983: The San Francisco Ballet Building became the first facility in the U.S. created expressly to house a major ballet company and its school.
1985: Helgi Tomasson becomes artistic director.
1990: Tomasson's “The Sleeping Beauty” premieres.
2006: The San Francisco Ballet is the first non-European company elected “Company of the Year” in Dance Europe magazine's annual reader poll.
2007: The San Francisco Ballet celebrates its 75th anniversary.
