When founding director Edward Stewart and the board changed the name of Ballet Theatre of Annapolis to Ballet Theatre of Maryland in 2001, they envisioned a professional company of national renown that would "represent and service the whole state," said artistic director Dianna Cuatto. This year the group is "taking steps to fulfill that vision" by creating partnerships across the state.
Maryland's premier professional ballet company and dance school starts its 31st season with plans to perform in venues outside Annapolis and conduct classes beyond Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.
Ballet Theatre of Maryland received a grant from the city of Bowie launching a joint effort that will include performances at Bowie Senior Center, educational opportunities and master classes for Bowie High School students. It will conclude with a debut performance of "Pirates of the Chesapeake" on April 17 at the 800-seat Bowie Center for the Performing Arts.
"Our goal is to perform in a single season in four or five different areas of the state," Cuatto said, "and launch satellite schools to service those local areas."
After occasional performances in Baltimore in past seasons, this year BTM will participate in the 200th celebration of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday by presenting "Specters, Phantoms and Poe" in October. The performances will be held at Baltimore-area schools in partnership with the Baltimore City Historical Society.
For the past three years, BTM has performed for the library system in Ocean City, and in February it will present two performances of "Beauty and the Beast" in the town's main theater.
BTM's 13 teachers in classical and contemporary dance will be involved this season in expanding classes to satellite schools in Easton at the Academy Art Museum and in Brooklyn Park at Chesapeake Arts Center. It will offer a range of dance classes for students of all ages and abilities.
"Both Easton and CAC are proving to be wonderful partners," said Cuatto. "Although Easton is further along with their program, CAC is committed to building a quality dance education program with us."
BTM's 2009-2010 performance season opens with "Beauty and the Beast" on Oct. 24 and 25 at Maryland Hall, with a special Princess Party for children and their families after the Sunday performance. Filled with magic, humor and romance, this favorite fairy tale was brought to life at a rehearsal recently by lead dancers Meagan Helman as Beauty and Calder Taylor as the Beast.
