September 17, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Experienced arts leader to join TBT in January 2027 following eight-month national search
Press Contact:
Monica Sheehan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Texas Ballet Theater
pr@TexasBallet.org
DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TEXAS — September 17, 2026 — Texas Ballet Theater (TBT) today announced the appointment of Nicholas Dragga, CFRE, as its next Executive Director, effective January 1, 2027. Dragga will join TBT following more than 15 years of executive leadership in the ballet field, including his current role as Executive Director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and 12 years as Executive Director of Ballet Lubbock.
Dragga was selected following an eight-month national search conducted in partnership with Management Consultants for the Arts (MCA). The comprehensive process included staff surveys, interviews with key leadership staff, stakeholder conversations, facility tours, and extensive organizational research. The search was designed to identify a leader who could build upon TBT’s momentum while supporting the organization’s artistic ambitions, financial sustainability, community relationships, and continued growth.
A Texas native and graduate of Texas Tech University, Dragga brings a demonstrated record of strengthening arts organizations through financial stewardship, revenue growth, capital campaign leadership, audience development and community engagement. At TBT, he will work in partnership with Artistic Director Tim O’Keefe to advance the organization’s artistic vision and deepen its connection with audiences, students, artists, donors, and communities throughout North Texas.
“In one of the most dynamic cultural markets in the country, Texas Ballet Theater is at a profound moment with world-class facilities, a company of real depth, an artistic vision with room to launch, and — its greatest asset — a staff and board whose energy and expertise are as deep as they are contagious,” said Dragga. “I am honored to join this team and to help build a company whose artistic vision only gets bolder: the standard-bearer for classical ballet, an incubator for inventive new work, intimately connected to its communities, and an elite training ground for the next generation of artists. Hospitality is not the soft part of this work. It is how a company earns its place in a community, and how everyone who walks through our doors comes to know they belong there. I look forward to building the extraordinary together.”
A Record of Growth and Organizational Leadership
Since joining Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) in 2023, Dragga has led efforts to strengthen the organization’s financial position while maintaining its artistic and educational programming. During his tenure, PBT has achieved record contributed and earned revenue, with annual operational contributed revenue surpassing $4.9 million, 21% above the organization’s previous record year. He also led operational restructuring that generated more than $1.3 million in annual savings while maintaining the organization’s full program scope and quality.
Under Dragga’s leadership, PBT has also experienced its two highest-grossing performance seasons on record, supported by intentional pricing, house rescaling, and dynamic pricing strategies. School recruitment initiatives increased new student enrollment by 25% in his first year, and Adult Dance & Fitness programming generated a 78% increase in net revenue over two years.
Before joining PBT, Dragga served for 12 years as Executive Director of Ballet Lubbock. During his tenure, he grew the organization’s annual operating budget from $500,000 to more than $2.4 million, increased organizational assets from $700,000 to more than $14 million and delivered a net operating surplus every fiscal year, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dragga also spearheaded the design, capital campaign, construction, and relocation of Ballet Lubbock into its new 22,000-square-foot facility within the $154 million Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences. Under his leadership, the school grew to more than 400 youth academy students, while its Dance Connect Community Engagement Program served approximately 600 students. His community programming included free weekly dance education across 23 elementary schools in six school districts, an Arts in Medicine partnership, and an expanded Adaptive Dance program.
A Thoughtful Leadership Transition
Dragga will officially begin his tenure with Texas Ballet Theater on January 1, 2027. Until then, Jill Caughron will continue serving as Interim Executive Director through the end of 2026, providing continuity as Dragga completes his current commitments at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
Caughron assumed the interim leadership role during a significant period of growth and development for TBT and has helped guide the organization through an important chapter of institutional progress. Under her leadership, TBT has continued building organizational capacity, strengthening its leadership team, and advancing major initiatives across the company, school, and new Dallas and Fort Worth facilities.
The transition period will allow Caughron and Dragga to work collaboratively while providing Dragga an opportunity to learn directly from TBT’s leadership team and the organizational foundation Caughron has helped establish over the past year and a half.
“Jill’s leadership has been an invaluable part of Texas Ballet Theater’s continued growth,” said Board Chair Susan Glassmoyer. “She has guided this organization with tremendous care, steadiness, and commitment, and we are grateful for the foundation she has strengthened. We are equally excited to welcome Nick and the experience, perspective, and energy he brings to TBT’s next chapter.”
Looking Ahead
Dragga will partner closely with O’Keefe as TBT continues to expand its artistic ambitions and deepen its role in the North Texas community. His experience balancing artistic priorities with financial sustainability, audience development, education, and community engagement aligns with TBT’s continued evolution as a leading ballet company and training institution.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Nick to Texas Ballet Theater. What immediately stood out to me was the breadth of his experience and his genuine understanding of what it takes to build a thriving ballet organization. He has a remarkable record of strengthening companies while creating opportunities for artists, students, and communities to engage more deeply with the art form,” O’Keefe said.
“At TBT, we have an incredible opportunity in front of us. We have extraordinary dancers, a talented and dedicated staff, new facilities, and an audience that continues to grow alongside us. Nick brings a wonderful combination of vision, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the people who make a company possible. I’m especially excited to work with him as we continue to explore the range of what ballet can be, honor the traditions that have shaped us, and create new experiences that invite more people into this art form. I look forward to the journey ahead and to all that we will build together.”
Dragga holds a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance and Composition, summa cum laude, from Texas Tech University. He has been a Certified Fundraising Executive since 2019.
About Texas Ballet Theater
Texas Ballet Theater (TBT) is the premier professional ballet company in North Texas, bringing world-class dance to audiences in Dallas and Fort Worth. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim O’Keefe, TBT presents a diverse repertoire that celebrates classical ballet while embracing contemporary voices and new works. TBT is the resident ballet company of the Winspear Opera House and Bass Performance Hall and operates Texas Ballet Theater School, providing dance education and training for students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
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