[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We have several outreach and education programs that allow us to serve our community and “change lives through dance by promoting and fostering the development of classical and contemporary ballet through high-quality performances, dance education and community outreach.”
2nd Tuesday
Is an informal studio chat with Artistic Director Tracey Alvey and a brief performance by company members. The public is invited to our facility the second Tuesday of each month (prior to productions) for refreshments and a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the upcoming production. This family-friendly event is open to the public.
CityDance
Is a hands-on dance training program which brings dance education to inner-city schools, providing underprivileged children with the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the art form. The children, taught by a member of the Alabama Ballet faculty, learn the basics of ballet, jazz and even explore dance imaging concepts. Approximately 200 new students are exposed to this outreach program every year.
Community Casts
Allows aspiring young dancers to audition for the opportunity to perform on-stage with the professional company. Darla Hoover, Répétiteur with the Balanchine Trust, casts 100 young dancers annually for The Nutcracker®.
Dance Discovery
The Dance Discovery Workshops are designed for groups of 50 to 100 students in an assembly atmosphere, where company dancers engage children in the basic history of ballet, dance terms and techniques while performing brief excerpts of work that showcase the depth and variety of the ballet repertoire. (Typically performed in gymnasiums.) This 45 minute-1 hour school assembly targets grades K-6. The company will be available for up to 20 presentations in the
greater Birmingham area.
School Show Matinee
Provides an opportunity for thousands of elementary and secondary school students to experience the full production of Alabama Ballet. Each year, we host over 7,500 students at our school performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, providing them the exposure to this choreographic masterpiece and holiday tradition at no charge. BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama sponsors our school
performances.
Other opportunities include Alabama Ballet School and Summer Intensive scholarships, master classes, reading at local libraries, visiting Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House and more!
Due to our generous sponsors, each year we are able to impact an average of:
- 100 children from the Birmingham City School System through the CityDance program
- 98 children who participate in our community cast
- 129 students who attend our master classes
- 6,368 school students who attend our free school show matinees
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