The Pittsburgh Ballet was founded as far back as the year 1969 and did the debut performance at the famed Pittsburgh Playhouse in April 1970. In 1973 a building downtown was donated to the company for rehearsal, storage of costumes and props, but also for the school that is now so hugely famous. Terrence Orr, former American Ballet master of theater and principal dancer, has remained the company director since 1997.
Mr. Orr established the creation of a powerful and diverse repertoire. An eclectic and diverse style was established which transformed the way dance was presented. There were two developments which emerged on the celebration of the 10th anniversary, which changed the path that was taken, initially the dancers endeavored to become associated with the American Guild of Musical Artists, a performing arts union, secondly Lynn Swann, was nominated to join PBT board of trustees.
PBH started offering open classes for tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop and much more for all ages, beginners and amateur alike. The introduction of other forms of dance into the school resulted in a rapid growth. In 1989 a grant enabled the company to launch its own school; this very program reached more than six thousand children in the first year. This snowballed encouraging further donations, grants and tax credits which help fund the school today.
To date the scholastic program has developed into a phenomenal amount of approximately 65 000 children. It reaches some four regions and over two hundred schools yearly. 300 students per year become part of the school which also offers 12 different levels of dance over a 6 day week.
The Schenley School Program searches for highly talented students, the main aim is to allow the continuation of high school studies while pursuing a career as a professional dancer. Academic credits are earned by the students for additional classes in the mornings. The curriculum consists of technique, partnering, Pointe or men's, character, jazz, and Pilates classes.
Graduate Programs on offer, are specifically looking to train at a higher level after high school in order to be able to apply for professional institutions. The very same technique curriculum is utilized as for the students of the program but here attention is paid to learning and rehearsal of dance repertoire. Many graduates are successfully integrated into professional dance companies globally.
Yearly the school presents two major performances. Firstly, in May, the studio offers the Schenley Showcase and only has dancers hailing from the two Programs. Then the first Saturday in June earmarks the annual Spring Performance at the downtown theater in Byham. Students are however not limited to these two performances and are sometimes used for the main companies performances as well.
Over the decades Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has built a strong ethos of undeniable excellence. Overseen, for the last 40 years by four well known artistic directors over. Undeniably establishing this as one of the top exhilarating ballet companies in the USA to this day has not been easy, but a well worth while effort, none the less.
Mr. Orr established the creation of a powerful and diverse repertoire. An eclectic and diverse style was established which transformed the way dance was presented. There were two developments which emerged on the celebration of the 10th anniversary, which changed the path that was taken, initially the dancers endeavored to become associated with the American Guild of Musical Artists, a performing arts union, secondly Lynn Swann, was nominated to join PBT board of trustees.
PBH started offering open classes for tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop and much more for all ages, beginners and amateur alike. The introduction of other forms of dance into the school resulted in a rapid growth. In 1989 a grant enabled the company to launch its own school; this very program reached more than six thousand children in the first year. This snowballed encouraging further donations, grants and tax credits which help fund the school today.
To date the scholastic program has developed into a phenomenal amount of approximately 65 000 children. It reaches some four regions and over two hundred schools yearly. 300 students per year become part of the school which also offers 12 different levels of dance over a 6 day week.
The Schenley School Program searches for highly talented students, the main aim is to allow the continuation of high school studies while pursuing a career as a professional dancer. Academic credits are earned by the students for additional classes in the mornings. The curriculum consists of technique, partnering, Pointe or men's, character, jazz, and Pilates classes.
Graduate Programs on offer, are specifically looking to train at a higher level after high school in order to be able to apply for professional institutions. The very same technique curriculum is utilized as for the students of the program but here attention is paid to learning and rehearsal of dance repertoire. Many graduates are successfully integrated into professional dance companies globally.
Yearly the school presents two major performances. Firstly, in May, the studio offers the Schenley Showcase and only has dancers hailing from the two Programs. Then the first Saturday in June earmarks the annual Spring Performance at the downtown theater in Byham. Students are however not limited to these two performances and are sometimes used for the main companies performances as well.
Over the decades Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has built a strong ethos of undeniable excellence. Overseen, for the last 40 years by four well known artistic directors over. Undeniably establishing this as one of the top exhilarating ballet companies in the USA to this day has not been easy, but a well worth while effort, none the less.
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