Celebrating the Life of Brook Manning
Oregon Ballet Theatre grieves the loss of one of our own.
Dance Historian and Teaching Artist Brook Manning passed away June 25, 2026. She is survived by her husband Tim Boot, their children, Alex and Colin, her mother Frances Manning, and brother, Colin Manning.
Brook’s family kindly requests donations to OBT in honor of her legacy. Your contribution will help OBT continue the work that filled her with joy.
OBT Historian and Teaching Artist
Brook began her dance career with Los Angeles Ballet, training with John Clifford and Irina Kosmovska and performing with the company in Petipa and Fokine ballets. She performed for many years as a soloist with Palos Verdes Ballet and danced solo roles in the works of Donald Hewitt and Arturo Fernandez, and in feature film and music video work.
Brook was awarded a scholarship for excellence in dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and earned her Master’s Degree in Performance Studies. She taught ballet at Bates College, University of Hawaii, and Portland Community College. During her full and active life, she travelled to 25 countries in order to experience dance and theatre in its cultural context.
As a Teaching Artist, Brook absolutely loved teaching and talking about dance with all ages during Field Trips to OBT and Touch Tours at the theatre.
Brook brought joy into every room she entered. Her love of sharing the world of dance with children would simply light up the room!
She contributed so much to our organization, sharing generously her time and her talents – and she gave from the heart.
How lucky we are that Brook’s light will forever be part of the fabric of OBT. She will be dearly missed by everyone that was fortunate enough to know her.
Dani Rowe
Artistic Director, Oregon Ballet Theatre
OBT has been a significant part of Brook’s life in ballet. She identified fundamentally as a dancer, and always had strong connections with all the dancers.
Like many dancers, she began training at a very young age; and later danced professionally with the original Los Angeles Ballet under the direction of John Clifford.
She was a stunningly beautiful, powerful, and soulful dancer. She always joked that she didn’t have tutu legs. The late Arturo Fernandez was one of her great mentors – she loved him, and loved performing his works.
After we moved to Oregon in 2009, Brook quickly made OBT her ballet home. She took class, attended performances, and became deeply involved with the organization. Not long afterward, Kasandra Gruener offered her a position as a teaching artist and later as Ballet Historian – a role she cherished because it brought together so much of her passion for and knowledge of ballet.
Tim Boot, Brook’s Husband, Professional Audio Executive / OBT Sound Designer
I take great pride in being the individual that hired Brook to join OBT as a teaching artist and eventually as Dance Historian. Through the many years that we worked together we became dear friends.We had deep conversations about dance and life and many good laughs.On one Halloween, she really spoofed me. Often dancers and staff would dress up for class and work on Halloween. In 2019 Brook came dressed as me–glasses, short hair wig, comfy sneakers etc, and parodied me kicking my leg up in the air (ohhhh, how I would have loved to have had her long, fabulous legs!) Someone took our pic and here it is!Brook was a powerful, passionate woman, full of joy and creative abandon. She was a thoughtful and deeply loyal friend. I will miss her forever and ever.
Kasandra Gruener
Retired Director of Education and Outreach, Oregon Ballet Theatre
For the past 15 seasons, as OBT historian and teaching artist, Brook was:…the voice who took our audiences on a deeper dive into productions during In Studio Rehearsals and at the theaters…the hands which composed text for playbill articles articulating the history of ballet and why it is still relevant and necessary…the red wavy hair, sparkling eyes, and toothy smile who greeted students on their field trips.We are fortunate that she will continue to be a champion, supporter, and fan of OBT and ballet, just a bit more quietly.
James Holstad
School Manager, Oregon Ballet Theatre
Brook Manning leaves behind a remarkable legacy at Oregon Ballet Theatre.
A gifted dancer, beloved teaching artist, passionate Ballet Historian, and cherished member of our community, she shared her deep love and knowledge of ballet with extraordinary generosity.
Her grace, warmth, and unwavering dedication touched countless students, artists, patrons, and colleagues.
Brook will forever remain woven into the fabric of OBT, and her impact will continue to inspire our community for generations to come.
Some people become part of an organization’s history. Others become part of its heart. Brook was both.
Shane Jewell
Executive Director, Oregon Ballet Theatre
Brook Manning | Photo by Francie Manning
OBT’s Education Outreach Team at the Sleeping Beauty Student Performance Series | Photo by Amy Stahl
OBT Field Trip | Photos by Tom Cook
Dance Photos of Brook | Courtesy of Tim Boot
