Noriko Kobayashi Ballet Theatre was founded as a classical ballet company in Tokyo Mejiro by its founder Koh Kobayashi in 1973.
The company has produced many outstanding ballet dancers who dance both in Japan and internationally including the prima ballerina, Noriko Kobayashi who represents Japan.
The company has been dedicated to the introduction of classical works and other ballets which have rarely been seen in Japan. Major performances number ninety-five as of December 2009. Since “Ondine", choreographed by Alfred Rodrigues, was first staged with its leading role danced by Noriko Kobayashi in March 1974, the company has invited elite artists such as Chieko Hattori, Hiroshi Shimada, John Field, Pamela May, and Julie Lincoln as well as Alfred Rodrigues, and has been constantly involved in developing artistic activities. The recent repertoire for the company has been receiving high acclaim, particularly those pieces choreographed predominantly by internationally renowned British choreographers, for example Ninette de Valois, Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan. In 2007, the company staged “Concert" and “Elite Syncopations" choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan and “The Rake's Progress" choreographed by Ninette de Valois, which was given enthusiastic reviews by the British newspaper “Financial Times". And in 2008, when the company performed “Scènes de Ballet" choreographed by Frederick Ashton, “The Rake's Progress" choreographed by Ninette de Valois, and “Paquita" produced by Noriko Kobayashi, Noriko Kobayashi Ballet Theatre won “The National Arts Festival Grand Prize for The Division of Dance 2008" presided over by the National Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Noriko Kobayashi who serves as the artistic director of the present company assumed its position in 1983.