The West Hartford-based Ballet Theater Company will audition potential members on August 27.
Submitted
After 22 years of providing high-quality artistic experiences to the Greater Hartford community, the Ballet Theater Company (BTC), located in West Hartford, is thrilled to announce the inauguration of a company of resident dancers for its 23rd season. of representation.
Since its inception, the Ballet Theater Company has aimed to create opportunities for professional dancers and performers in the Greater Hartford area and is thrilled that it is now possible to take this huge step towards cultivating consistent work for professionals. local.
“As the founder of BTC, I watched and guided the company as it transformed from a small ensemble of dancers with no clear goals or plans, into a solid company capable of taking on anything. It’s both exciting and somewhat terrifying to achieve this incredible feat after 22 years,” said Tracy Dorman, Executive Director and Principal Client of BTC. “At every step, we have survived and grown. This new resident company of professional dancers shows the incredible achievement achieved through the hard work and dedication of our staff and artists, it is truly an accomplishment that the entire community can be proud of.
The establishment of a professional dance company, called BTC’s “Professional Dancers in Residence”, signifies a new level of professionalism at the Ballet Theater Company. BTC’s artistic director will hire and provide jobs for ten professional dancers at competitive wages – a boon to the local ballet scene. Hiring professional dancers at a fair wage is an act of fairness. By offering a 32-34 week contract with a bi-weekly stipend and shoe allowance. As a small, growing company, BTC is setting a new standard of excellence in a field where free labor is generally expected (especially from young professionals). BTC is proud to take a step forward to empower local dancers to thrive while supporting themselves.
Establishing a resident dance company also benefits the Greater Hartford community by providing more opportunities for public performances and personal interaction with dancers while contributing to the sustainability of professional ballet in the region.
The new professional company will be led by Artistic Director Stephanie Dattellas, alongside Artistic Advisors Maria Terezia Balogh and Paul Mejia.
Balogh was the protege of the great American ballerina, Maria Tallchief, and became a principal dancer with the Lyric Opera Ballet (later known as Chicago City Ballet) and the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet. During her performing career, Balogh performed a repertoire of over 30 lead roles by choreographers such as George Balanchine, Maria Tallchief, Paul Mejia and Jerome Robbins. Since then she has been a rehearsal coach, ballet mistress and master instructor for many leading companies and schools across the United States.
Mejia performed with the New York City Ballet, where he danced and created many principal roles in ballets by George Balanchine. Among many other accomplishments, Mejia co-directed the Chicago City Ballet with Maria Tallchief, directed the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet, and is currently artistic advisor to the Metropolitan Classical Ballet. Ms. Balogh and Mr. Mejia will share their rich knowledge and experience with resident professional dancers by teaching weekly company classes, coaching and rehearsing dancers, and setting repertoire.
“As Artistic Director of BTC, learning and working with such established and talented members of the dance community is an incredible privilege,” said Dattellas. “I look forward to seeing how these dancers will flourish under the tutelage of Maria & Paul and, as a result, to see the company propel forward.”
Dancers selected to join the resident company will be involved in two classical ballet features, main stage repertoire performances (with the option of performing solo or leading roles), 2 neoclassical performances in an intimate black box theater and several smaller performances at local parties and events.
An audition to select the dancers will be held at BTC’s 20 Jefferson Ave on August 27 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. COVID-19 vaccine reel and card (can be provided on site if preferred) to BTC Ballet Mistress Emily Silva at emily.silva@dancebtc.org.
ballet theater company is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It is supported in part by Ron and Nancy Compton, Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development Arts Office, Greater Hartford Arts Council, Hoffman Foundation, Long Foundation, Ensworth Charitable Foundation, The Edward C and Ann T Roberts Foundation, Laurel Graphic Design, Cricket Press and We-Ha.com.
Do you like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to the We-Ha newsletter so you’ll always be up to date with what’s going on in West Hartford! VSClick the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.
