An Evening With Pittsburgh Ballet Theater

By Molly Morse


Pittsburgh Ballet Theater was founded in 1969, by Mr Nicholas Petrov as the founding artistic director and Mrs. Loti Falk as the founding board chair. The following year PBT offered its first subscription season. Mr. Petrov was an artistic director until 1976, when he stepped down from this function.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theater soon became very popular, and surely the most exciting dancing ensemble in USA. They nurture exceptional dancing style and excellence, and they do everything with such incredible passion that their audience continue to grow, as well as their subscriber base. When they first started with The Nutcracker, it was obvious they will come a long way.

Their first dancing school was established back in 1979, with Mr. Patrick Franz as an artistic director and with Mr. Anthony Bryan as a chairman of the board. Popular Intensive Summer program started the next year, and today it is widely appreciated.

When Mrs. Patricia Wilde took thing in her hands in 1982, things started to get even better. As a former principal dancer, Mrs. Wilde improved their recognizable technique and led them to another level of excellence. Her clear and precise approach made her widely appreciated and respected among dancers and their audience. She set 32 new works during her tenure.

Today PBT has more than fifty performances each year, both at home and on tours. Since they have first launched the Schenley program for High school students, their interest is concentrated primarily on education. Their former students are often leading dancers in numerous ballet theaters all over the world.

PBT is a community based company. They can b clearly recognized by their particular technique and clear vision and style. Their innovative approach to teaching created numerous exquisite dancers. Last year they presented their first premiere of A Streetcar Named Desire, and it was absolute success.

Maybe one of the most famous ballets of all times, The Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky, is still equally exciting as it was a long time ago. This extraordinary piece can be seen in February 2014. Emotionally intensive performance and overwhelming music will inevitably transfer you into amazing and wonderful world of motion and elegance that only music can create.

PBT organizes different interesting events. This season you can attend an evening of beer and dance, or maybe take a look at exciting works presented by famous choreographer Twyla Tharp. This unusual and exciting event will certainly fulfill your expectations and charm you. Nine Sinatra songs are also something you wouldn't want to miss.

Their first and most popular work, the famous Nutcracker, lived for so long. This season, with over 150 dancers and exceptional choreography, it is certainly the most expecting event. Beautiful costumes, dancing excellence and clear technique will surely be appreciated by their loyal audience. All dancers eagerly expect the first opening in December.

The Nutcracker is the biggest event this season, but you can also enjoy in very popular Don Quixote or numerous other events. This season, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater is presenting one of the most loved performances of all times, the famous Swan Lake. This simply beautiful piece written by Tchaikovsky is absolutely amazing. The theater will tour locally, nationally and internationally, as always.




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