The Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet was founded in 1973 as Ballet Lyrique by a group of citizens who wanted to give local dancers a performing outlet and to bring classical ballet into the Shreveport-Bossier Community. The Ballet has been operating continuously since that time, making it one of the oldest arts organizations in Shreveport-Bossier.

The mission of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet is to educate the community in the art of classical ballet in a variety of venues, to enhance the cultural life of the community by presenting professional full-length ballets, and to provide opportunity and education for all interested and qualified dancers to showcase their talents in staged productions and lecture/demonstrations.

Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet believes that classical ballet is the foundation for all other forms of dance. The Ballet is firmly committed to preserving this essential element of dance, as well as generating an excitement for the future of this classical art form.

SMB annually presents two full-length classical ballets, including the holiday favorite The Nutcracker and a performance each spring of other ballets from the classical repertoire. Past performances have included Giselle, Coppelia, Cinderella, Rodeo, La Fille Mal Gardee, Snow White, Wizard of Oz, Act II of Swan Lake, and Act III of Sleeping Beauty.  The audiences come not only from the Shreveport-Bossier area, but also from East Texas, southern Arkansas, and small communities throughout north Louisiana.

Dancers from ages ten to adult are chosen each spring by open auditions to become members of the Junior and Senior Companies of the Ballet. SMB has provided these dancers with the necessary training and experience to go on to dance with companies in other cities and to study dance at the university level. Dancers gain valuable experience by being able to dance alongside the professional guest artists brought in each year for the performances. Guest artists have come from such ballets as the New York City Ballet, the Boston Ballet, the Houston Ballet, Ballet Oklahoma, and the San Francisco Ballet.

The Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet has continued to grow through the years thanks to the support of the community and the dedication of hundreds of volunteers. We are a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing a cross-section of the community. All Board meetings are open to the general membership. SMB is supported by private and corporate donations, memberships, fundraisers, and grants, which enable the company to present professional quality performances each year.