Ballet RI

41°50′58″N 71°23′40″W / 41.84931°N 71.39440°W / 41.84931; -71.39440

Ballet RI
General information
NameBallet RI
Previous namesFestival Ballet Providence
Year founded1978; 47 years ago (1978)
Websiteballetri.org
Senior staff
DirectorKathleen Breen Combes
Other
Associated schoolsSchool of Ballet RI

Ballet Rhode Island (Ballet RI), formerly known as "Festival Ballet Providence",[1] is a ballet company located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.[2][3] Ballet RI performs at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Moses Brown School's Woodman Center, and their own Black Box Theatre.[4]

History

The company was founded in 1978 by Christine Hennessey and Winthrop Corey (1945-2023), former principal dancers with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. After the death of Hennessey in 1998, Mihailo Djuric took over as Artistic Director, and led the company until 2020.[5] Kathleen Breen Combes has been Director since 2021.[6]

Leadership

Directors:

Ballet RI also runs the School of Ballet RI (formerly Festival Ballet Providence School). School directors:

  • Mary Ann Mayer (2004-2018)
  • Vilia Putrius (2018-2020)[9]
  • Marissa Parmenter (2020-2023)[10]
  • Sarah Lane (from September 2023)[11][12]

References

  1. ^ Amy Brandt (May 5, 2023). "Festival Ballet Providence Is Now Ballet Rhode Island". Pointe Magazine. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  2. ^ "Ballet Rhode Island". Visit Rhode Island. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  3. ^ "BWW Reviews: Festival Ballet's Exquisite NUTCRACKER a Christmastime Tradition". Broadway World. December 20, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  4. ^ "Performances". Ballet RI. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Festival Ballet director to bow out Sept. 1". Providence Journal. August 6, 2020. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Director – Festival Ballet Providence". Festival Ballet Providence. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  7. ^ Chava Lansky (June 7, 2019). "Kathleen Breen Combes on Retiring From Boston Ballet, and Her New Role at Festival Ballet Providence". Pointe Magazine. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  8. ^ Jennifer Stahl (May 29, 2019). "From Ballerina to Executive Director: Why Kathleen Breen Combes Wants to Be Behind the Scenes". Dance Magazine. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  9. ^ Emily Gowdey-Backus (September 7, 2018). "Putrius promoted from lead dancer to Festival Ballet Providence school director". Providence Business News. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  10. ^ "Marissa Parmenter - School Director". Ballet RI. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  11. ^ Kyra Laubacher (July 27, 2023). "Former ABT Principal Sarah Lane on Becoming the New School Director at Ballet Rhode Island". Pointe Magazine. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  12. ^ "Sarah Lane - School Director". Ballet RI. Retrieved September 1, 2023.