Ballet Hartford Earns Grant Support, Announces Spring Performances

Ballet Hartford has earned a funding grant from the Connecticut Office of the Arts in support of performing arts programs this year. The state agency’s General Operating Support for Theaters and Performing Grants provide support to Connecticut-based theaters and performing groups whose primary purpose is to present the performing arts to the general public.

With professional dancers from across the United States, Ballet Hartford produces engaging programs that uphold tradition and celebrate innovation, highlighted by technically and artistically diverse choreographic works. The company has received national and international recognition, and continues to grow in stature with increasing acclaim from local and regional audiences.

Preparation is now underway for an exciting Spring season for Ballet Hartford. This year’s story ballet will be the classic Peter and the Wolf, with three performances taking place in Greater Hartford in May. The featured performances will be:

• Friday, May 12, 6:30–8:00 PM, 224 EcoSpace, Hartford
• Sunday, May 14, 12:00–2:30 PM - Mother’s Day Brunch, Wadsworth Mansion, Middletown
• Friday, May 19, 6:00–7:30 PM, University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford

The delightful story – engaging for the entire family – will feature choreography by Duncan Noble and adaptations for Ballet Hartford by former New York City Ballet soloist Claire Kretzschmar. Tickets are now available for the performances, at www.ballethartford.com.

“We are grateful for this support, and excited to share with audiences our upcoming Spring performances,” said Leyna Doran, Artistic Director of Ballet Hartford. “Our company is already hard at work developing an entertaining and invigorating program, bringing our talents and creativity to the timeless adventure of Peter and the Wolf.”

In addition, Ballet Hartford will produce Open Artists Day 2023 on Wednesday, May 3, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM at the 224 EcoSpace in Hartford. Open Artist's Day is led by Resident Visual Artist Aubrey Feliciano. Local visual artists interested in participating in the popular annual event should contact Ballet Hartford Company Manager Hannah Bush at hbush@ballethartford.com.

Also upcoming this Spring, Ballet Hartford will participate in the New England Inspirational Dance Festival in Milford, New Hampshire on April 15, and Project Dance in New York City, April 21-23, The three day event gathers professional, pre-professional and aspiring dancers, entered around an all-day open air dance concert that is free to the public, featuring local and international dance artistry.

Ballet Hartford company members live and work throughout the Greater Hartford community; many have come to the region from elsewhere around the country (and beyond) attracted by the reputation of Ballet Hartford. Company members include 15 talented professionals, apprentices and trainees, and some performances include young students attending the School of Ballet Hartford.

The $5,570 Connecticut Office of the Arts grant is the second earned by Ballet Hartford this year. In January, Connecticut Humanities, in its CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants program, provided $6,700 to Ballet Hartford.

Funding for CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants is provided by the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature and approved by Governor Ned Lamont. These grants are designed to help the state’s museums, cultural, humanities, and arts organizations maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public.

“Through this investment, Connecticut’s leaders recognize the integral role arts and culture play in our state’s economy, in the lives of our residents, and in making our communities thriving places to live and work,” said Dr. Jason Mancini, Executive Director at CT Humanities.

Accompanied by its affiliate school, the School of Ballet Hartford, the company strives for excellence with joy in all of its performances and offerings to the public. The School of Ballet Hartford includes a Young Dancer Program for ages 3-5, Pre-Professional Division for students with professional aspirations, an Open Program with a flexible schedule, and an Adult Program with classes for the beginner/intermediate dancer.

Ballet Hartford opens Company Class to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Dancers with high-intermediate/advanced training are invited to take class alongside the professional dancers from the company’s outstanding faculty. In addition, Ballet Hartford’s Trainee Program provides participants with performance opportunities and training with the professional company.

Ballet Hartford's home at the 224 EcoSpace holds great significance within the Connecticut dance community as this facility once housed the Hartford Ballet. From spacious studios to sprung floors and intimate, in-person performances, the building enables Ballet Hartford to carry on its mission of providing high-caliber art for audiences in the Greater Hartford region and beyond. Overseen by Reverend Lydell Brown, the 224 EcoSpace is a premier arts, health and wellness social enterprise located on Farmington Avenue in Hartford.

For more information about Ballet Hartford, visit www.ballethartford.com.