Founded in 1963 by Balanchine student and protégée Barbara Weisberger, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of the leading ballet companies in the United States. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the company’s annual local season features six programs of classic favorites and new works, including the Philadelphia holiday tradition, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™. The company’s Artistic Director is former principle dancer Roy Kaiser.
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Pennsylvania Ballet was established in 1963 by Barbara Weisberger, a protégée of George Balanchine, through a Ford Foundation initiative to develop regional professional dance companies, and has been at the forefront of American dance since that year. A leading Philadelphia cultural institution, the company has earned a national reputation for its impassioned artistry and technical virtuosity, and has received widespread critical acclaim for its performances of a diverse classical and contemporary repertoire with a Balanchine base. The energy and exuberance of its versatile dancers are the company’s enduring signature. A leader in the regional ballet movement of the 1960s, the company performed in the national spotlight for the first time in 1968 at New York City Center – a highly successful debut that led to a decade of national touring, appearances on PBS’ “Dance in America” series, and a stint as the official company of the Brooklyn Academy of Music during the 1970s. From 1987 to 1989, Pennsylvania Ballet forged an alliance with Milwaukee Ballet in an unprecedented venture to create one company. The new organization, with 43 dancers and a greatly expanded repertoire, was the first in the country to offer its dancers year-round employment. In 1995, the trustees of Pennsylvania Ballet selected its first homegrown artistic director, Roy Kaiser. A former company member hired in 1979 by Barbara Weisberger, Kaiser rose through the ranks from Corps de Ballet to Soloist to Principal by 1990. Following his retirement from the stage in 1992, Kaiser served as Principal Ballet Master and Associate Artistic Director under Christopher d’Amboise before being named to his current position. Under Kaiser’s leadership, the company has expanded its Balanchine-based repertoire to include bold, innovative new works from both established and emerging choreographers. New works have included premieres of original ballets from choreographers like Merce Cunningham, Christopher d’Amboise, Trey McIntyre, Matthew Neenan, David Parsons, Val Caniparoli, Benjamin Millepied, and Christopher Wheeldon, as well as the highly acclaimed 40th anniversary commission of Swan Lake by Christopher Wheeldon and the 2007 world premiere of Matthew Neenan’s Carmina Burana. Currently employing 37 dancers, Pennsylvania Ballet annually presents a season of six programs (including George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ ) that balance classic ballets with new works that challenge the dancers and attract a diverse audience. The company also tours throughout Pennsylvania and the East Coast to venues such as New York City Center and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. It made its international debut at the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2005.
Fourteen members of Pennsylvania Ballet appeared as the corps in the film Black Swan, which was released in 2010.[1][2] In the 2011-2012 seasons the Pennsylvania Ballet will be performing six shows. These shows will be located at the Academy of Music and the Merriam Theater. No touring schedule for the season has been announced. Along with these performances the Pennsylvania Ballet II, the company’s pre-professional program will be performing outreach and educational performances.
Company dancers of the Pennsylvania Ballet, as of October 2010:[3]
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Pennsylvania Ballet II was created in 2002 by Joyce and Herbert Kean. This part of the company was created as a pre-professional training company. The dancers in this program practice frequently with the company and are used as dancers in the larger productions. They are under the direction of William DeGregory and consist of eight members. Pennsylvania Ballet II also is involved with many outreach and educational programs.
Over the past several years, Pennsylvania Ballet has increased its reach through creative programming initiatives such as the Family Matinee Series, the Prologue Lecture Series, and its outreach and education program, Accent on Dance, which serves over 11,000 children each year. Pennsylvania Ballet II does around 25 shows for the surrounding Philadelphia communities. Other Out Reach programs include ticket give away to participating schools, studio tours, and school shows.
Roy Kaiser is the Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Ballet. He was a principle dancer for the company until 1992 when he retired to become the PAB Ballet Master. Roy Kaiser has been said to have had a very influential effect on this company. He also participates in other programs such as the New York Choreographic Institute.[4]
Jeffery Gribler has been the Ballet Master since 1986. He started with his career in the Pennsylvania Ballet in 1975 when he became an apprentice. He then worked his way up to principle dancer.
Tamara Hadley is a former Pennsylvania Ballet Principle Dancer after joining the company in 1975
William DeGregory is a former Pennsylvania Ballet Principle Dancer he became the director of Pennsylvania Ballet II when it was first created in 2002
Michael Sheridan has danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet and is now the Assistant to the Artistic Director.
Matthew Neenan is Pennsylvania Ballet’s first choreographer in Residence. He danced for the company from 1994-2007
Christine Cox is Pennsylvania Ballet's Children's director. Also, she is co-founder of the company, Ballet X.
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