Pittsburgh Ballet has never been the same since Nicolas Petrov became a member of the Playhouse dance faculty in 1965. Three years since that, the Yugoslavian choreographer has been producing small shows, the most noteworthy of which is his adaptation of The Nutcracker which was headlined by 85 of his students. To address the growing interest for the company, the dance school was transferred to the larger Lawrence Hall which is located at the heart of the city.
In 1970, the company had its first show at the Playhouse. Likewise, the production started its first season at Syria Mosque from 1970 to 1971. Then, the ballet group hailed the newly renovated Heinz Hall as its home from 1971-1972. Due to the growing popularity of the group, several donors bought a building at downtown Pittsburgh which will serve as their new home. This new building will house their studios, their school and their production rooms.
When Frederic Franklin was named as co-Artistic Director by Petrov in 1974, the company improved significantly. By 1978, more than half of the company budget is acquired through ticket sales. Despite the improvements, classes were still offered in partnership with Point Park College. PBT got its independence from the school when it settled its debt with the school.
The leadership of the company has also changed when Petrov left to focus on his job at Point Park and Franklin waved goodbye as well. The two pioneers were then replaced by John Gilpin who used to be the principal dancer for the London Festival Ballet. However, the tenure of Gilpin was short-lived due to health concerns. This led the Board of Trustees to select Patrick Frantz as the Artistic Director of PBT in 1978.
The French choreographer/dancer highlighted contemporary pieces in the succeeding presentations and he also became the main proponent of the company having its own school. The leadership of Frantz also led to more changes by the tenth anniversary of the theater. One of the more notable changes is the inclusion of PBT to the American Guild of Musical Artists which serves as the working union for performing artists. Also, the Board of Trustees welcomed Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and dance enthusiast Lynn Swann among their ranks.
Four years after being appointed as Artistic Director, Frantz begged off from the post to focus on choreography. He was then replaced by Patricia Wilde in June 1982 and the new Artistic Director added more works by New York City Ballet co-founder George Balanchine. By 1983, the company was planning to move in its current address at 2900 Liberty Avenue.
Likewise, the company helped in the formation a new arts center in Pittsburgh. Through the efforts of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Stanley Theater was renovated and renamed as the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts. PBT, as well as other art groups in the city, agreed to be constituents of the new center in 1987.
Wilde left in 1997 was succeeded in the Artistic Director Position by Terrence S. Orr who is a former principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater. The stamp mark of Orr in the company is the drive for productions that use music from the likes of Sting, Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen. The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater once again staged The Nutcracker in 2002. In 2006, the PBT inaugurated its Choreographer Showcase at the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts.
In 1970, the company had its first show at the Playhouse. Likewise, the production started its first season at Syria Mosque from 1970 to 1971. Then, the ballet group hailed the newly renovated Heinz Hall as its home from 1971-1972. Due to the growing popularity of the group, several donors bought a building at downtown Pittsburgh which will serve as their new home. This new building will house their studios, their school and their production rooms.
When Frederic Franklin was named as co-Artistic Director by Petrov in 1974, the company improved significantly. By 1978, more than half of the company budget is acquired through ticket sales. Despite the improvements, classes were still offered in partnership with Point Park College. PBT got its independence from the school when it settled its debt with the school.
The leadership of the company has also changed when Petrov left to focus on his job at Point Park and Franklin waved goodbye as well. The two pioneers were then replaced by John Gilpin who used to be the principal dancer for the London Festival Ballet. However, the tenure of Gilpin was short-lived due to health concerns. This led the Board of Trustees to select Patrick Frantz as the Artistic Director of PBT in 1978.
The French choreographer/dancer highlighted contemporary pieces in the succeeding presentations and he also became the main proponent of the company having its own school. The leadership of Frantz also led to more changes by the tenth anniversary of the theater. One of the more notable changes is the inclusion of PBT to the American Guild of Musical Artists which serves as the working union for performing artists. Also, the Board of Trustees welcomed Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and dance enthusiast Lynn Swann among their ranks.
Four years after being appointed as Artistic Director, Frantz begged off from the post to focus on choreography. He was then replaced by Patricia Wilde in June 1982 and the new Artistic Director added more works by New York City Ballet co-founder George Balanchine. By 1983, the company was planning to move in its current address at 2900 Liberty Avenue.
Likewise, the company helped in the formation a new arts center in Pittsburgh. Through the efforts of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Stanley Theater was renovated and renamed as the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts. PBT, as well as other art groups in the city, agreed to be constituents of the new center in 1987.
Wilde left in 1997 was succeeded in the Artistic Director Position by Terrence S. Orr who is a former principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater. The stamp mark of Orr in the company is the drive for productions that use music from the likes of Sting, Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen. The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater once again staged The Nutcracker in 2002. In 2006, the PBT inaugurated its Choreographer Showcase at the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts.
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Unknown - Monday, October 8, 2012
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