Founded in 1978, Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is comprised of a pre-professional company of dancers, ranging in ages from eight to twenty and chosen through open auditions annually. The company's Artistic Directors, Robert Kelley and Diane Cypher, have many years of experience as professional dancers, choreographers and directors. Their successful careers as dancers, both solo and together, make them enthusiastic teachers and inspired directors.
Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is a member of Regional Dance America and has been awarded the most prestigious status of "Honor Company" since it joined in 1990. Through Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, hundreds of young dancers have learned the powerful role that dance plays in creating individual confidence and the discipline necessary for success as contributing members of society.
The objective in choice of repertoire is to expand and build the level of technique and range of ability of the company dancers: from classical and contemporary to dramatic and modern works. The repertoire includes "Swan Lake Act II," "The Nutcracker," "Giselle" plus a wide range of works by contemporary and classical choreographers.
Collaborative works include Ikuyo Conant and
Watsonville Taiko, Nancy LeVan and Bill Walker, Jerome Begin and Kuumbwa Honors Jazz Band. Guest choreographers include Debra Rogo, Diana Law, Alan Hineline and Pepper Fajans.
Brittany Duncan and Joshua Burnham in "Sans Souci"
Photo by Bari Miller |
