American Ballet Theatre (ABT), is a classical ballet company based in New York City. It has an annual eight week season at the Metropolitan Opera House Lincoln Center. It tours around the world the rest of the year. American Ballet Theatre was founded in 1937 by Mikhail Mordkin. It is recognized as one of the world's leading classical ballet companies. American Ballet Theatre is the parent company of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. It was recognized as "America's National Ballet Company" in 2006 by the United States Congress.