Carolina Ballet performed Swan Lake in China in 2006. Watch an audio slideshow of the Carolina Ballet while artistic director Robert Weiss talks about the company's success.

Carolina Ballet made its debut in 1998. Since that time the professional dance group in Raleigh has secured a loyal local following, garnered accolades from national and international critics, and performed around the globe. Who knew that a start-up company could make the grand leap to success in so little time? We take a peek behind the curtain and talk with artistic director Robert Weiss.

What brought you to Carolina Ballet?
I saw an ad in a dance magazine that said, “Looking for a man or woman of vision to start a ballet company on the highest level.” The thing most attractive about it was the opportunity to start something from the very beginning. It’s been successful because initially the right people were brought together who understood the importance of the endeavor.

How did you build the company?
I found talented people around the country and was able to bring three extraordinary dancers with me. I am married to a ballerina, Melissa Podcasy, who was obviously willing to come with me. Then I brought in two other experienced dancers—Marin Boieru and Timour Bourtasenkov. Everyone else was 18 years old and talented but green. We started with 18 dancers and 3 apprentices. We gave 20 performances the first year.

For such a young company, you have an impressive repertoire.
We’ve created more than 65 new works in 10 seasons here. The thing that’s amazing about it is that we are a company of only 32 dancers. New York City Ballet is the only company in this country that has created more new works during the same time period, but they have more than a 100 dancers.