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Virginia
Ballet Theatre is building on a tradition that began in 1961
when Gene Hammett founded the Norfolk Civic Ballet to
promote regional ballet, train young dancers and to provide
a center for creativity in the Arts.
By 1987 when
former student Glenn White returned to become Artistic
Director, Hammett's studio had become the Tidewater Ballet
Association and prospered.
In 1991 they
renamed the Company Virginia Ballet Theatre, expanded its
school and performance schedule and brought a new spirit of
professionalism, excellence and community involvement.
Since then,
Virginia Ballet Theatre has continued to expand to what has
become a fully professional Company and Academy. Over 200
alumni from VBT have gone on to professional careers with
such noted companies as The New York City Ballet, Dance
Theatre of Harlem, Twyla Tharp Dance Company, Cleveland/San
Jose Ballet and The Nashville Ballet. Virginia Ballet
Theatre will continue to strive to serve the Hampton Roads
Community and Southeastern Virginia.
The Academy of
Virginia Ballet Theatre boasts a professional faculty with
years of combined performing, teaching and staging
experience. In addition to Classical Ballet technique, the
Academy offers classes in Modern Dance, Tap, Jazz and
Character Dance. It is the goal of the entire faculty to
provide a strong foundation of technique in these various
dance forms, as well as to foster a love of movement and the
arts. The ballet syllabus is eclectic, based on the best
training methods of the American, Russian and French
schools. In addition to a year-end school performance in
June, students may have the opportunity to perform in the
company's annual production of The Nutcracker. Other
performance opportunities include The First Pointe Players
and VBT II, Virginia Ballet Theatre's junior company. It is
our sincerest goal that all students, regardless of
professional aspirations, achieve a life long love of dance
in a nurturing and supportive environment.
Virginia Ballet Theatre's professional company is one of only
two professional companies in the State, presenting a full
season
of works by great masters such as George Balanchine, Lew
Christiansen, Sir Frederick Ashton, Robert Joffrey, Agnes de
Mille, Erick Hawkins and Twyla Tharpe. The value that Virginia
Ballet Theatre brings to the community is often underestimated.
As the region's only professional ballet company we compliment
the Virginia Opera, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Stage
Company and Chrysler Museum by offering professional dance and
education to fill a void in the tapestry of
Hampton Roads' cultural fabric.
Virginia Ballet Theatre strives to provide a tradition of
excellence that Hampton Roads deserves by enriching the
community and the Arts with Professional Dance and Dance
Education.
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