Ballet Mississippi Inc

Programs: Over 10,000 patrons attended ballet mississippi performances during fy2017. In december ballet mississippi presented tchaikovsky's the nutcracker, which offered people throughout the southeast the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season through the enjoyment and appreciation of this classical ballet featuring guest artists laura otto from new york and dustin layton, who studied with ballet mississippi and is now dancing on broadway. Public and private schools from around the state of mississippi brought approximately 3,500 students to jackson for the nutcracker performances. Ballet mississippi held two performances for school children, a free thursday night performance for employees of the city of jackson, a "ballet, blue jeans and beer" casual night aimed at young adults, and two matinee performances of the nutcracker for the general public. The nutcracker school performances were a primary means of providing accessibility and affordability to the arts. Approximately 3,500 students from around the state attended a full-length production of the nutcracker for only $5. 00 per person. An online educational packet was provided for teachers and students, including historical information about the production, ballet terminology, fun facts, and suggested activities to prepare students for the production. The fall performance entitled "first moves" included a sneak peek at a portion of the nutcracker, two selections choreographed by staff and four variations from paquita. The spring performance, entitled let the music dance, delighted attendees with a lovely mixed repertoire. Community partnerships served as an important vehicle to increase audience accessibility. Ballet mississippi performed at batson children's hospital, ms children's museum, fondren's first thursday, fondren unwrapped, highland village, the renaissance and st. Andrews arts on the green. The ballet collaborated closely with the international ballet competition, aiding each other with staff and volunteer efforts.

ballet mississippi operates a ballet school for students ages three through adult. The school emphasizes the teaching of classical ballet but gives its students the opportunity to learn different forms of dance and perform before large audiences. All students performed in year-end recitals and many performed roles in various performances. Taught by trained ballet mississippi staff, classes were provided to approximately 300 students throughout the school year and in summer workshops led by guest artists. Classes were held in arts centers in two neighboring counties, in three area preschools and three jackson public elementary schools, and at an assisted living facility. The afterschool program, which provided tuition-free ballet classes at three public schools, is an important means of reaching minority students and enriching our organization.