company goals

A diverse, inclusive, artistic culture

The goal of Durham Ballet Theatre is to create an artistic platform that is culturally inclusive while promoting artistry, development of technique, and dance in all its forms. We take pride in the fact that our company is very diverse; we cast solely from auditions that are open to the public. We strive to see more children and adults of diverse ethnic backgrounds and varied abilities find their way to performing with our company.

Our company and its culture differ from others in our area in that we also welcome and encourage non-professional adults to perform in our productions and other venues. In addition, we also encourage children ages 5 and older to audition for our performances.

History

Founded over 10 years ago by artistic director Boleyn Willis-Zeger, Durham Ballet Theatre’s (DBT) primary focus has been on training the next generation of performers -- both “floor” dancers and aerialists. Over that time, DBT has grown into a year-round performing arts company. DBT regularly augments its cast with additional dancers, both pre-professional and professional, especially for its full-length productions at The Carolina Theatre. This integration of skill levels allows DBT to provide a unique opportunity for aspiring artists to explore the magic of live theater at the professional level. In addition to rigorous training in classical, modern and aerial dance, students acquire important life skills such as team work, discipline and focus.

Community Involvement

Durham Ballet Theatre participates in community outreach by teaching classes in area schools and providing lecture demonstrations to places such as UNC hospital, the Durham Boys & Girls Club, Oxford Home for Children and senior living communities and area preschools.

Our vision is to be the best pre-professional performing arts company in Durham by providing exceptional training and performance opportunities in dance, aerial, theatre and voice for a socioeconomically, culturally and ethnically diverse group of performers and by promoting accessibility to the performing arts through outreach, education and free performances for underserved communities.

We continue to offer our programs, at no charge, to those who would otherwise find it challenging to access the arts particularly via special performances, and will continue to have open auditions so that all members of the community regardless of abilities have the opportunity to perform with our company.

Company Members

Our aerialists regularly perform at Centerfest for the Durham Arts Council and our dancers take to the streets for the Durham Holiday Parade.

Our dancers have been chosen to attend summer intensives including American Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and South Carolina Conservatory, and have moved into professional work with Charlotte Ballet, Wilmington Ballet Company and Ballet Theatre Indiana. In addition, as a result of their exposure to all aspects of professional training and staging performances, our dancers have gone on to work in technical theatre and regularly work with Playmakers Repertory, Durham Performing Arts Center, and American Dance Festival.