Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Ballet Theatre of Maryland is a professional ballet company based in Annapolis, Maryland, founded by Edward Stewart and Toni Lander. The company has been a part of the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts and has performed at various venues, including the Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, Maryland, and the Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland. With a repertoire that includes works by renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine and Twyla Tharp, the company has established itself as a prominent force in the Mid-Atlantic dance scene, alongside other notable companies like the Washington Ballet and the Pennsylvania Ballet. The company's performances have been accompanied by orchestras such as the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, featuring conductors like Marin Alsop and Gustav Meier.

● History

The company's history dates back to its founding, when it was initially known as the Ballet Theatre of Annapolis. Over the years, it has undergone several transformations, including a name change to its current form, and has been influenced by the works of notable ballet companies such as the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre. The company has performed at various festivals, including the Kennedy Center's Maryland Arts Festival and the Baltimore Arts Festival, and has collaborated with other dance companies, such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Martha Graham Dance Company. The company's history is also marked by its association with notable dancers, including Misty Copeland and Sylvie Guillem, who have performed with companies like the American Ballet Theatre and the Paris Opera Ballet. The company has also been influenced by the works of choreographers such as Jerome Robbins and Agnes de Mille, who have created iconic ballets like The Cage and Rodeo.

● Artistic Directors

The company has had several artistic directors throughout its history, including Dianna Cuatto and Nicole Kelsch. These directors have been instrumental in shaping the company's repertoire and artistic vision, and have been influenced by the works of notable artistic directors such as George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, who co-founded the New York City Ballet and the School of American Ballet. The company's artistic directors have also been associated with other notable dance companies, including the San Francisco Ballet and the Houston Ballet, and have worked with choreographers like Mark Morris and Paul Taylor. The company's current artistic director has been responsible for introducing new works to the company's repertoire, including ballets by Alexei Ratmansky and Justin Peck, who have created works for companies like the American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet.

● Repertoire

The company's repertoire includes a wide range of classical and contemporary ballets, including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Giselle. The company has also performed works by notable choreographers such as Twyla Tharp and Paul Taylor, who have created iconic ballets like Push Comes to Shove and Esplanade. The company's repertoire is also influenced by the works of companies like the Royal Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet, which have performed classic ballets like The Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet. The company has also collaborated with other dance companies, such as the Joffrey Ballet and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, to perform works like The Green Table and La Sylphide. The company's repertoire is accompanied by music from renowned composers such as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Sergei Prokofiev, who have created iconic scores for ballets like Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet.

● Company Structure

The company is a non-profit organization, with a board of directors that includes notable figures from the Maryland arts community, such as Barbara Shapiro and Robert Aubry Davis. The company is also supported by a range of sponsors, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the Maryland State Arts Council, which have provided funding for companies like the Washington Ballet and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The company's structure is similar to that of other professional ballet companies, such as the Boston Ballet and the Cincinnati Ballet, which have also received funding from organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Shubert Foundation. The company's dancers are trained in a range of styles, including ballet, modern, and jazz, and have been influenced by the works of notable dance schools like the School of American Ballet and the Juilliard School.

● Education and Outreach

The company offers a range of educational programs, including classes and workshops for children and adults, which are taught by instructors like Diana Vishneva and Ivan Vasiliev, who have danced with companies like the Mariinsky Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet. The company also offers outreach programs, including performances and workshops in local schools and community centers, which have been supported by organizations like the Kennedy Center and the National Endowment for the Arts. The company's education and outreach programs are similar to those offered by other professional ballet companies, such as the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre, which have also received funding from organizations like the Shubert Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The company's programs are designed to promote dance education and appreciation, and to provide opportunities for dancers to perform and train with companies like the Royal Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet.