Ballet Tucson is a professional ballet company based in Tucson, Arizona.[1]

Ballet Tucson
General information
NameBallet Tucson
Year founded1986
FounderMary Beth Cabana
Websiteballettucson.org
Artistic staff
Artistic DirectorMargaret Mullin
Other
Official schoolSchool of Ballet Tucson

As of June 2023, the company has 4 principal dancers, 5 soloists, 4 demi-soloists, and 8 members of the corps de ballet. They also have 9 apprentices.[2]

History

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Ballet Tucson, previously known as Ballet Arts Foundation, was established in 1986 by Mary Beth Cabana, who was previously a principal dancer with Cleveland Ballet, Ballet Oklahoma, Arizona Dance Theatre, and San Diego Ballet.[3] The goal of creating Ballet Tucson was to create a world-class professional ballet company as well as a ballet school that would help young dancers in Southern Arizona pursue a career in dance.

In 1987, the Children's Ensemble gave a preview performance at Centennial Hall (Tucson, Arizona) in Tucson, and received positive reviews. Additional performances that year also received positive reviews.

In 1994, Ballet Tucson premiered their own full-length version of The Nutcracker, which had five sold-out performances.

In 2004, the professional ballet company debuted, and since that time has established itself as Tucson's resident professional ballet company.[4]

In 2022, Ballet Tucson began a partnership with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra for their performances of The Nutcracker.[5][6]

Current company

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Artistic team & staff

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Margaret Mullin is the Artistic Director. She was previously a soloist with Pacific Northwest Ballet.[7][8]

Chieko Imada is the Associate Artistic Director & Resident Choreographer. She was previously a soloist with Inoue Ballet of Tokyo, and a former principal dancer for Ballet Tucson.[9]

School of Ballet Tucson

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The School of Ballet Tucson is the official school of Ballet Tucson. It has provided training to students since 1986.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Mission & History : Ballet Tucson".
  2. ^ "Dancers : Ballet Tucson".
  3. ^ "Founding Artistic Director : Ballet Tucson".
  4. ^ https://playbill.com/article/ballet-tucson-opens-first-full-professional-season
  5. ^ "Mission & History : Ballet Tucson".
  6. ^ "Ballet Tucson partners with Tucson Symphony Orchestra for the Nutcracker". 12 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Artistic Team & Staff : Ballet Tucson".
  8. ^ "Ballet Tucson approaches its latest season with a new vision". 30 September 2022.
  9. ^ "Artistic Team & Staff : Ballet Tucson".
  10. ^ "About : Ballet Tucson".