The year was 1955 and in Tacoma the post-war economy was driven by lumber production needed to supply the booming furniture manufacturing industry. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge was completed a few years earlier, allowing for greater ease of transportation which in turn allowed for more recreation and leisure activities from golf to visiting productions like the ice capers and then locally the formation of a classical ballet school and performance company.
The Jan Collum School of Classical Ballet and The Concert Ballet Group of Tacoma began with Miss Jan’s dream to impart excellent classical ballet instruction, with a professional company performing classical ballet. Beginning with just six company dancers in 1955, the company soon blossomed into thirty. In 1965, The Concert Ballet Group of Tacoma was renamed BALLETACOMA and established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
Over the next 30 years, BALLETACOMA secured a reputation for excellence in classical ballet instruction and performance. In 1995, the company was re-branded to Tacoma City Ballet. They took the opportunity to combine both the School and the Company under a single 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation that still functions as today and presents an annual performance season in Tacoma as well as touring productions to other regional cities.
With the opening of the Pantages Theater in 1983, Tacoma City Ballet established an annual performance season in a professional theater with a live professional orchestra. The year also marked the residence of Tacoma City Ballet in the Merlino Art Center where they still study, rehearse, and perform the art of classical ballet. Their annual performance season always includes their cornerstone production of The Nutcracker during the holidays and up to five other amazing classics like Cinderella, Carmina Burana and in-house originals like The Haunted Theater and Duet, a collaboration with Tacoma Opera.
According to Erin Ceragioli, Artistic Director of Tacoma City Ballet, “Tacoma City Ballet has been an integral part of the artistic growth of Tacoma for decades, weaving together excellence with heartfelt emotions. For me personally, following nearly 40 years with this organization, I understand the passion and commitment that our dancers, supporters and patrons have for Tacoma City Ballet.”
For Additional Information
Tacoma City Ballet
tacomacityballet.com
BY LYNN CASTLE