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Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Local know-how to help you travel smarter and make the most of every moment.
Pacific Northwest Ballet: Seattle's Premier Dance Company
Experience world-class ballet in Seattle at the Pacific Northwest Ballet, performing a diverse repertoire in the heart of Seattle Center.
The Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB), located in Seattle's McCaw Hall, is a leading ballet company in the United States, renowned for its high-quality performances and commitment to artistic excellence [4, 8]. Founded in 1972, PNB has grown from a regional dance company into a prominent professional ballet company, offering over 100 performances each year [4, 8].
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Pacific Northwest Ballet
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
Monday
10 am-6 pm
Tuesday
10 am-6 pm
Wednesday
10 am-6 pm
Thursday
10 am-6 pm
Friday
10 am-6 pm
Discover more about Pacific Northwest Ballet
Located at McCaw Hall in Seattle Center, the Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) stands as one of the premier ballet companies in the United States [2, 8]. Founded in 1972, PNB has a rich history, growing from a regional dance association to a nationally recognized ballet company [3, 4, 8, 11].
PNB was initially formed as the Pacific Northwest Dance Association in 1972, following a residency by the First Chamber Dance Company [3, 11]. It later separated from the Seattle Opera in 1977 and adopted its current name in 1978 [3, 11]. Under the artistic direction of Kent Stowell and Francia Russell from 1977 to 2005, the company gained prestige and expanded its repertoire [3, 8]. Peter Boal took over as artistic director in 2005, continuing the tradition of excellence [3, 8].
PNB is known for its diverse performances, presenting both full-length ballets and mixed repertory programs [8, 9]. The company consists of nearly 50 dancers and performs over 100 times each year [3, 8, 15]. PNB has toured extensively, showcasing its talent in Europe, Australia, Asia, Canada, and across the United States [8, 15].
The Pacific Northwest Ballet School, established in 1974, is a leading professional training school [3, 4]. The school provides comprehensive ballet training and partners with Seattle University to offer courses to its students [4].
PNB's commitment extends beyond the stage through community engagement and educational programs [4]. These initiatives aim to make ballet accessible to a wider audience, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art form [4].
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Getting There
Walking
From the Space Needle, walk southeast towards the McCaw Hall. Head along the pathway, keeping the Armory food hall to your right. Continue until you reach Mercer Street, cross the street at the light, and the entrance to McCaw Hall will be directly in front of you. Walking time is approximately 5-10 minutes. There is no cost for this approach.
Public Transport
From downtown Seattle, the Seattle Center Monorail provides a quick and convenient connection to Seattle Center, near McCaw Hall [2, 7, 16]. The Monorail departs approximately every 10 minutes from the Westlake Center Mall station at 5th Avenue and Pine Street [2, 7, 16]. The ride takes about 90 seconds, delivering you to the Seattle Center station, adjacent to the Space Needle [2, 7]. From there, walk as described above. A one-way fare costs $4. Alternatively, several bus routes (1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 32, 62, and Rapid Ride D) stop within a few blocks of McCaw Hall [2, 7]. A single bus fare is around $3, or $6 for a day pass [14, 19].
Taxi/Ride-Share
From downtown Seattle, a taxi or rideshare service (Lyft or Uber) offers a direct route to McCaw Hall. Designated pick-up/drop-off zones are located on Harrison Street, John Street, Republican Street, and Mercer Street [16]. The typical cost for a ride from downtown to McCaw Hall ranges from $15 to $25, depending on traffic and demand [14].
Driving
When driving to McCaw Hall, parking is available at the Mercer Street Garage (650 3rd Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109), connected to McCaw Hall via a skybridge [2, 13]. The entrance to the garage is on 3rd Avenue North between Mercer Street and Roy Street [2, 13]. Pre-paid parking is highly recommended due to the increasing number of events in the area [2, 10]. Pre-paid parking costs $22.50 [10]. Additional parking is located at the 5th Avenue North Garage (516 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109), a 3-block walk from McCaw Hall [2, 13]. Parking rates vary but typically range from $10-$30 for several hours, depending on the garage and event schedule [5, 6].
A brief summary to Pacific Northwest Ballet
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