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- EIN 94-3322887
- info@presidiodance.org
- 4155613958
- 2955 Geary Blvd PO Box 29066 San Francisco CA 94118 USA
- http://www.presidiodance.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Arts & Culture, Ballet, Dance, Fund Raising & Fund Distribution, Performing Arts Schools
Mission: Presidio Performing Arts Foundation's (PPAF) mission is to preserve and present folkloric dance, music, and theater traditions in their historical context with a perspective that deepens impressions and knowledge of peoples, culture and art, creating an eloquent means of joining together performing arts, collective wisdom and social justice. As a California non-profit public benefit corporation, PPAF is one of the Presidio National Park's early arrivals and is considered a premiere cultural institution, earning widespread admiration and numerous awards for the impressive quality of its artistic endeavors. Building its cultural programming on the tremendously diverse and rich ethnic traditions that exist statewide, PPAF annually presents an array of performances, dance festivals, dynamic cultural exchanges, and costume exhibition in the unique setting of America's newest urban National Park, the Presidio of San Francisco. Millions of people visit the Presidio each year and a quarter of a million have already enjoyed PPAF's Presidio Dance Theatre's performances, special events, and costume exhibitions. PPAF's tagline is "Bringing the World of Dance Into the Lives of Children." PPAF was co-founded in 1997 by Judy Bretschneider, the late Robert C. Leefeldt and Nancy Johnson who served as officers on the first board of directors. PPAF received its 501(c) (3) status in January 1998 as a non-profit, public benefit corporation. Presidio Dance Theatre is one of PPAF’s programs. Presidio Dance Theatre endeavors to preserve and enhance the artistic, classical and cultural traditions of the dance through performances imbued with international perspective and inclusiveness that acknowledges the extraordinary diversity of our community.
Results: - Co-Founded in 1997 by Judy Bretschneider, Robert Christian Leefeldt, and Nancy Johnson - Repertoire of 200 historic dances from over 30 nations, reviving and preserving centuries-old dance traditions, contemporized for today's audiences - Three signature productions: Dancing Across Cultures™, Beyond the Land of Sweets, The Little Lantern® Ballet Exceptional trove of costumes primarily designed by Mariinsky Theatre Atelier in St. Petersburg, Russia Humanitarian partnerships with Assyrian Aid Society, International Red Cross, sister cities and international embassies, UNESCO and others; workshops and guest artists, international classrooms - Philanthropic performances /donations to troubled spots in the world - Support/performances for under served youth PDT students accepted at dance schools including the Kirov, Bolshoi, Royal Ballet of London and American Ballet Theatre Classes, rehearsal and production space for children/adults in the historic Presidio -Collaborations with artists and arts educators from across the world - Proven role of the arts in improved academic achievement, youth health - A community of dancers; former PDT students return for teaching and mentoring - Sherene Melania, PDT's artistic director, believes social harmony can develop from cultural "entertainment"
Target demographics: Youth in the SF Bay Area
Direct beneficiaries per year: Reaching 25,000 people annually through live performances, providing an inclusive community hub, our Presidio Performing Arts Center, offering classes for students of all ages, uniting body and spirit, preserving cultural traditions through signature productions updated for today's audiences, performing free for over 6,000 students annually, helping underserved public schools through the year
Geographic areas served: Throughout the Bay Area
Programs: Presidio Dance Theatre (PDT) is a highly acclaimed, multi-generational dance company recognized for its signature style of Ethno-Classical Ballet. The company includes performers as young as five years old and seasoned adult professionals. Both the Youth and Adult companies tour together. PDT supports various humanitarian causes and has earned prestigious awards, including the US State Department’s award for “Distinguished Service in Cultural Diplomacy through Dance." PDT develops and presents original productions for the stage, including a winter and spring season of performances. The repertoire of full-length productions includes Beyond the Land of Sweets, The Little Lantern Ballet and Dancing Across Cultures. PDT also presents commissioned work in collaboration with various organizations. PDT has been commissioned to choreograph and perform for humanitarian organizations such as the United Nations, International Red Cross, UNESCO, Assyrian Aid Society, Assyrian Arts Institute, UCSF’s Brain Cancer Research Center and Make-A-Wish Foundation. PDT has embraced artists from Palestine, Syria, Iran, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, The Republic of Georgia, Uganda and Latin America. Many artists find a refuge in PDT as the organization provides a safe space and opportunities for assimilation. We believe that working with underrepresented artists from conflict-ridden countries fosters an appreciation for the arts as a catalyst of social change.