(mission statement)
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatres’ mission is to preserve Ballets’ esthetics and standard of excellence by continuing the innovative heritage of the Ballet Russe (about us)
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre, originally named Media City Ballet, announcedits formation on September 30th of 2001. Over the past decade, the company has gained a notable following and has grown to become one of the major dance companies within the greater Los Angeles area. Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre attracts first-class talent from around the world, including Armenia, Asia, Russia, and Spain. Company dancers possess credentials of study and performance from such companies as American Ballet Theatre, Armenian National Opera Ballet, the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet,the Kirov Opera and Ballet Company, the Korean National Ballet, Chicago Ballet and Cirque du Soleil. Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre boasts a large, varied repertoire and produces several major programs annually. Recent original performances include popular summer specials entitled Axis Mundi and Dance in the USA pro- duced at the John Ansen Ford Amphitheater. Smaller studio events are scheduled seasonally in addition to an ongoing educational outreach pro- gram and performances from our sponsored youth ballet. |
(what we believe)
We believe dance is the perfect universal expression of the human spirit. By continuing the innovative heritage of the Ballet Russe, we are better able to understand our life stories, which elevates our passion and motivates us to express our true selves. (who we serve)
Our typical family audience is 65% White, 2% African American, 10% Asian American, 22% Hispanic and 1% from other races. 24% under the age of 18, 10% from 18 to 24, 32% from 25 to 44, 21% from 45 to 64, and 13% who were 65 years of age or older. (what we do)
Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre performs captivating ballet presentations and offers engaging educational programs that nurture the talent and artistic creativity within the diverse Southern California Community. |
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NATASHA MIDDLETON was born into ballet legacy. Her grandmother
danced with the Ballet Russe, and her father, Andrei Tremaine, with the
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. She was a ballerina with the original Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre, under the direction of the her father. She trained and danced in Los Angeles and in New York with the Joffrey II, as well as Europe and Asia performing in such ballets as the Nutcracker, Raymonda, Spartacus and Carmen. She is the daughter of former San Francisco Opera Soprano, Natalie Garrotto and the niece of the late film star, Yvonne de Carlo. With music and acting under her belt, Ms. Middleton performed and
choreographed in many musicals, operas, television and theater plays.
After recovering from a life threatening automobile accident, she hung
up her “pointe” shoes and began only teaching and directing. She traveled much of the world studying many forms of cultural dancing, art design
and contemporary and classical theatre. Ms. Middleton began choreographing professionally on Broadway and in Hollywood. In 2001, she founded the Media City Ballet company and has staged numerous ballets in Los Angeles. In 2007, she made history with her production of “Men of the Ballet Russe” - honoring her father and other such greats as Fredrick Franklin, Mark Platt, the late George Zoritch, Victor Moreno and Paul Maure. In 2011 she directed the show “Axis Mundi” at the Ford Amphitheatrehe, and the show placed 2nd in the Top 10 Dance Performances in California by the Beverly Hills Outlook. Ms. Middleton is now continuing the family tradition by taking on the former name of her fathers once prestigious ballet company Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre. The new company will return to the Ford Amphitheatre this summer performing “The British Beat”, her tribute to British music. Natasha Middleton is also the school director of the Media City Dance Studio, located in the Media Village in beautiful downtown Burbank. |
Tatiana
A’Virmond
PRINCIPAL
TATIANA A’VIRMOND, BEGAN HER CLASSICAL BALLET TRAINING AT THE AGE OF SIX IN BRAZIL WITH THE GUAIRA BALLET THEATER FOUNDATION. In New York Mrs. A’Virmond performed with the Connecticut Ballet, Ballet Hispanico of New York, Hudson Repertory, and Dance Brazil. In the Bay Area, she performed with Theater Works, An- ima Mundi, Peninsula Ballet Theater, Marin Theater Company, as a principal dancer with Theater Ballet of San Francisco. She has performed several times with Media City Ballet including roles in The Nutcracker, Polovstian Dances, and Don Quixote.
PRINCIPAL
TATIANA A’VIRMOND, BEGAN HER CLASSICAL BALLET TRAINING AT THE AGE OF SIX IN BRAZIL WITH THE GUAIRA BALLET THEATER FOUNDATION. In New York Mrs. A’Virmond performed with the Connecticut Ballet, Ballet Hispanico of New York, Hudson Repertory, and Dance Brazil. In the Bay Area, she performed with Theater Works, An- ima Mundi, Peninsula Ballet Theater, Marin Theater Company, as a principal dancer with Theater Ballet of San Francisco. She has performed several times with Media City Ballet including roles in The Nutcracker, Polovstian Dances, and Don Quixote.
BLOGS
Former Ballet Master and Burbank Resident, Paul Maure, Remembered
PICTURES FROM PAST PERFORMANCES Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre brings the magic of music to life. To do this, we have gathered outstanding local soloists and principle dancers, and have created a talented corps de ballet. In addition, we bring in guest talent from around the world to help us present a unique dance experience!
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| The British Beat | |
| John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, August 24, 2013 | |
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In response to the overwhelming success of “Dance in the USA”” a tribute to American music, we now cross the Atlantic Ocean to a small island where artistic talent significantly influenced how Americans sang, danced and
made music. The “British Beat” is a cavalcade of dance and music ranging from the |
artistry of Sir Edward Elgar to popular selections from some of our most recent Grammy/ Oscar award winners. Combining our rich heritage of the Ballet Russe with contemporary styling, Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre embraces and celebrates Britain’s multi-ethnic music through a diverse array of dance styles. |
| THE PACIFIC BALLET DANCE THEATER COMPANYcreated the Youth Ballet to train dancers and to instill a deeper knowledge, understanding and appreciation of dance in our community. We offer children of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds the opportunity to achieve artistic excel- lence through training and performance. Under the auspices of the Pacific Ballet Dance Theater, we strive to provide emerging artists an opportunity to participate at a professional level in the creation, production, and perfor- mance elements of ballet and dance. The students work with eminent com- |
posers, choreographers and ballet masters, gaining real life experience in the professional setting. Annually, our Youth Ballet presents a diverse and exciting program. Students awe awarded the opportunity to audition and may participate in one of the company’s professional performances. Qualified senior dancers are promoted into the Pacific Ballet Dance Theater Company, launching professional careers. |
| THE ALL-BOYS, TUITION-FREE PROGRAM for boy’s ages 7-18 is de- signed to enhance artistic skills, flexibility, and strength. The program provides weekly classes in beginning, intermediate and advanced ballet; partnering; modern; and guest instruction in jazz and character dance. Participants in the program will be awarded performance opportunities as eligible, to audition for Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’. Students are accepted by audi- tion. No prior dance experience is required. PBDT will provide young male students with the opportunity to train in a dance environment that is specifically geared towards their development toward |
professional performance In the program’s inaugural year of 2013, we hope to audition and select twenty boys’ ages ranging from 7-15,who will train through the entire thirty-six week course. The program draws students from Southern California region who demonstrate a serious interest in dance. Whether the boys are bound for a career in dance, musical theater, figure skating, gymnastics or team athletics, they all will enjoy the opportunity to advance and learn from truly exceptional compliment of celebrity instructors. |
| THE FOUR MUSICIANS LEVEL: Elementary School DESCRIPTION: The Four Musicians is an original ballet for children based on a Grimm’s Brothers fairy tale. The story is about four animals who have been abandoned by their owners and have decided to make their way into the city to become musicians. Along the way they must overcome adversity, under- stand their strengths and weaknesses, and learn how to work together as a team. The work, especially composed for Pacific Ballet Dance Theater by Tom Pease, presents the fairy tale in an engaging combination of prose, poetry, music and dance. The program addresses the California State Standards in English, music and dance. DANCE AS A LANGUAGE LEVEL: Elementary and Middle School DESCRIPTION: Excerpts from Peter and the Wolf will be presented in a man- ner that conveys the main characters, plot and themes. Students will compare how dancers and writers have to be concerned with similar narrative elements and techniques. Students will also learn about basic dance gestures that com- municate ideas, emotions, and moods THE MANY FACES OF CARMEN LEVEL: All DESCRIPTION: A World of Dance in America, is a performance/demonstra- tion in which students analyze the function and development of dance in a variety of cultures including Native American, Spanish (flamenco), Irish, and African-American. Students develop an understanding of how dance func- tions in daily life and how it fits into the historical and social context of a cul- ture. Students compare and contrast cultural dances, and see how cultures influence one another in the area of dance A WORLD OF DANCE IN AMERICA LEVEL: All DESCRIPTION: A World of Dance in America, is a performance/demonstra- tion in which students analyze the function and development of dance in a variety of cultures including Native American, Spanish (flamenco), Irish, and African-American. Students develop an understanding of how dance func- tions in daily life and how it fits into the historical and social context of a cul- ture. Students compare and contrast cultural dances, and see how cultures influence one another in the area of dance |
Multisession Workshops BUILD A BALLET THROUGH STORYTELLING LEVEL: Elementary (grades 2-5) DESCRIPTION: Build a Ballet a performance/workshop that introduces stu- dents to the basic concepts of dance and choreography in seven sessions. It includes a staged ballet production of Peter and the Wolf, a planning session with teachers, and a staff development. The final session is a performance of Aaron Copland’s “Hoe Down” as danced and choreographed by students.  Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre of Los Angeles works with the Los Angeles County Arts Commission to promote high quality standards-based arts edu- cation. Visit LAArtsEd.org for more information. PACIFIC BALLET DANCE THEATERoutreach program works with schools and local service groups to entertain and instruct the community on the art of ballet and dance. For more information on this outstanding program, contact Tom Pease at ttpease@ca.rr.com. ABOVEFrom the PBDT’s school outreach production of Peter and the Wolf: Bird provides a distraction, while Peter prepares to catch Wolf. This program is a wonderful demonstration of how dancers create characters through move- ment. It also deals with literature themes like conflict and conflict resolution. All PBDT outreach programs are aligned to the California State Standards. |
| The Pacific Ballet Dance Theater is lauded as one the area’s most dynamic ballet companies. “Pacific Ballet Dance Theater is spectacular…the costumes will take your breath away and the production is worthy of a Broad- way run.” – The Tolucan Times Your support will help to preserve this standard of excellence since the cost of operating a high quality ballet company far exceeds the revenue from ticket sales. This gap is bridged by generous donors such as yourself. Your support also helps us realize exciting new works and keeps our dancer’s feet on the stage. Every gift to the company makes a difference. Your Annual Fund Gift will go to work immediately to support ballet. Please join us today to keep dance alive. To learn more, please visit the website at: http://www.pacificballetdancetheatre.org/ or contact Cindy Pease at cindy.pease@ca.rr.com. Gifts are tax deductible to the statement of the law. The company’s tax I.D. is # 95-455300. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Levels of Giving Platinum Circle.................... $10,000 + Ambassador’s Circle............ $5,000-$9,999 Founder’s Circle................... $2,500-$4,999 Pas de Deux......................... $1,500-$2,499 Corps de Ballet.................... $1,000-$1,499 Ensemble............................. $500-$999 Patrons................................. $250-$499 Friends................................. up to $249 Make a Gift Today! IT IS QUICK, EASY, AND SAFE using our new PayPal site. We accept all major credit cards - you don’t even need a PayPal account. Just click the link below and within two minutes you will have provided the financial support needed to bring great ballets to the Los Angeles area. Thank you in advance for your contribution. |
I’D LIKE TO DONATE THE FOLOWING AMOUNT TO PACIFIC BALLET DANCE THEATRE: $ For more information call or email Cindy Pease at (818) 257-0733. Ways of Giving CASH Cash is the most common form of support. Checks should be made out to the Media City Ballet Annual Fund. CREDIT CARDS Pacific Ballet Dance Theater accepts Visa and MasterCard. SECURITIES Gifts of appreciated securities provide significant tax savings for the donor by avoiding capital gains taxes. These gifts are tax-deductible at the fair market value. PLANNED GIFTS Bequests, Charitable Remainder Trusts and Life Insurance Policies MATCHING GIFTS Hundreds of organizations match charitable gifts of employees. Please check with your company’s Human Resource Department for more information. This is a partial list of companies in southern California who may match your donation to MCB. Just fill out the form, and we do the rest. Pacific ballet dance theater is a non-profit organization with a 501(c)3 status. Our tax id number is 95-4553003. Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent provided by law |
THE BRITISH BEAT
In response to the overwhelming success of “Dance in the USA”” a tributeto American music, we now cross the Atlantic Ocean to a small island where artistic talent significantly influenced how Americans sang, danced and made music. The “British Beat” is a cavalcade of dance and music ranging from the artistry of Sir Edward Elgar to popular selections from some of our most recent Grammy/ Oscar award winners. Combining our rich heritage of the Ballet Russe with contemporary styling, Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre embraces and celebrates Britain’s multi-ethnic music through a diverse array of dance styles. Tickets for this event may now only be purchased at the Ford Theatres website.  |
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Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre
