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Choreographed In History

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Ballet Palm Beach

Announces

Choreographed In History
A Fundraising Event
With Special Guest Speaker
Wes Chapman
Former Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theatre and Director of ABT II
Tuesday, April 8, 2014| 6:30pm to 8:30pm
$50 per person
The Historical Society of Palm Beach County
300 N. Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, Florida
Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres

Ballet Palm Beach will host fundraising event Choreographed in History at The Historical Society of Palm Beach County on Tuesday, April 8th from 6:30pm – 8:30pm.  The event will feature a private tour of the museum and historical Palm Beach County Courthouse as well as a performance by Ballet Palm Beach.  Wes Chapman, former American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer and Director of ABT II will appear as a guest speaker.  Among his many achievements, in 1996, Chapman was named Artistic Director of Alabama Ballet.  During his leadership, the company grew from 16 to 44 professional and apprentice dancers.  He also founded the Alabama Ballet School, the apprentice pre-professional training program, Alabama Ballet Summer Program and Gorham’s Bluff Summer Residency.  Mr. Chapman has recently served as a special coach for Ballet Palm Beach dancers prior to their performances of Don Quixote. Much like Alabama Ballet’s beginnings, Ballet Palm Beach currently employs 15 dancers, 9 professionals and 6 trainees, allowing local artists to reside in Palm Beach County and share their talent with our local community.  Mr. Chapman will speak about the importance of supporting local arts, in particular the art of ballet, in Palm Beach County.  “Palm Beach County is positioning itself as the cultural capital of Florida. We are committed to growing a local ballet company that will enrich local residents and visitors lives through performances and outreach programs.  Employing and training artists who want to live and work in Palm Beach County is also an important part of our mission.” says Artistic Director Colleen Smith.

 Ballet Palm Beach is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving the art of ballet, impacting young lives through the discipline of dance, and enriching the community through the beauty of ballet.  The company has reached over 6ooo individuals this season beginning with its popular “flash ballet” where they danced flash mob style in public locations throughout Palm Beach County.   Their season opened with The Curtain Rises a mixed repertoire, followed by their tradition and community favorite of The Nutcracker and most recently the classic ballet Romeo & Juliet, all performed at the Eissey Campus Theatre at Palm Beach State College.  The dance company fulfills its mission of community outreach and education through partnerships with the Palm Beach County Library System, the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, and the Kravis Center’s S*T*A*R Series outreach and education program.

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