Queer-Led Ballet. Reimagined. Rooted in Chicago.
Who We Are
EnbyBallet is a queer-led, project-based ballet company located in Chicago. Founded in 2024, we center trans, nonbinary, and queer dancers en pointe through work that’s grounded, sincere, and rooted in classical ballet.
We approach the work with the belief that artists come first. That means building a process that respects dancers’ time, supports them as people, and values their contributions both in and outside the studio.
Our Vision
We believe ballet should expand, not exclude. By centering identity alongside artistry, we work to evolve the form into something braver, fuller, and more reflective of the world we live in.
Our work is guided by a commitment to equity in how we collaborate and compensate artists.
Why It Matters
Ballet has long overlooked queer voices. EnbyBallet shifts that narrative, diversifying the art form and opening new possibilities for representation, storytelling, and community.
Our Journey
EnbyBallet was founded in 2024 by Roberto Vega Ortiz and Carlos Hopuy out of both love and frustration: love for ballet’s depth and history, and frustration with the lack of spaces where gender-diverse dancers could fully belong.
As we grow, we’re building toward performances, classes, and collaborations that reflect not just what ballet can look like, but how it can feel to be part of it.