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THE GRAND RAPIDS BALLET The Grand Rapids Civic Ballet was formed in 1971 under founding Artistic Director Sally Seven. In its first decade, the company grew in size and artistic quality. In 1983, the Grand Rapids Civic Ballet merged with the Summerfest School of Grand Rapids, a conservatory school for development of professional dancers, and subsequently, was reorganized to form the Grand Rapid Ballet (GRB) along with its education arm, The School of the Grand Rapids Ballet. Under the artistic direction of Charthel Arthur, the GRB moved into regional status and joined the Midwest Regional Ballet Association/Regional Dance America. The GRB was honored three years in a row by being chosen to perform the closing piece at their annual Festival. During the 1993-94 season, the professional dancers were placed under contract for the first time. Today, the roster includes ten full-time dancers and two apprentices. Each season, the Company presents three major productions in Grand Rapids to audiences of over 30,000 patrons. All of the productions are performed to live music through our collaboration with the Grand Rapids Symphony. In addition, Grand Rapids Ballet dancers have performed with Opera Grand Rapids, The Jackson Symphony, The Richmond Symphony and with the orchestras of Alma College and Grand Valley State University. Grand Rapids Ballet is creating a name for itself as a company of innovative groundbreaking ballets. The Company closed its 1996-97 season with the world premiere of Alice in Wonderland based upon the novel by Lewis Carroll. In 1998, the Company opened its season to rave reviews with the world premiere of Dracula by Emmy-nominated choreographer Gordon Peirce Schmidt. Later in the season, Mr. Schmidt was announced as the new Artistic Director and Laura Berman was named Associate Artistic Director. During the 1999-2000 season, GRB created and performed ten world premieres including the dazzling Caught in a Midsummer Night’s Dream! Grand Rapids Ballet is committed to its educational programs by offering the joys and benefits of dance to young people within the inner city of Grand Rapids. Its award-winning program, "Steps in a New Direction" provides free dance training to economically-disadvantaged children through its collaboration with the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department and the Grand Rapids Public School System. Since its inception, the Steps Program has reached more than 6,000 children. The Grand Rapids Ballet is committed to its mission statement, "to lift the human spirit through the art of dance" As the only professional classically-based ballet company in the state of Michigan, the Grand Rapids Ballet has a rich history marked by steady growth, a commitment to excellence, and strong community backing. Professional Dancers Artistic Director Nutcracker w/JSO |