Classical Ballet Theatre Joins Movement to Bring Arts to Herndon

Classical Ballet Theatre (CBT) has announced the beginning of an extensive fundraising campaign to convert its large rehearsal studio into a 100-150 seat theater. Named in honor of the lifelong performing arts mentor of CBT Founder and Director Cynthia Donavin, the Marjorie Mussman Studio Theater will be a fully functioning 100-150 seat theater adding to Herndon’s growing arts climate and serving audiences throughout Fairfax County and the greater Northern Virginia area.

“I’m thrilled that we are able to move forward with this project, one of which we’ve dreamed for many years,” shared Cynthia. “The theater will give our studio audiences a better experience and, as a cost-effective alternative to renting temporary theater equipment or venues, it will allow us to offer even more performances to the community.”

The Marjorie Mussman Studio Theater will serve as one of only a handful of Northern Virginia venues with enough space to perform classical ballet. The theater will include stadium seating, a complete rigging and lighting infrastructure, a main act curtain, border curtains, legs, a cyc, backdrop tracks, side lighting booms, and ColorSource LED lighting as well as a state-of-the art lighting console system.

Explained faculty member Meghan Rudorfer, “We perform classical and contemporary works throughout Northern Virginia, and we often find that our local studio performances, like our popular Children’s Series productions, are at capacity. In addition to allowing more performances, the theater will accommodate more guests comfortably. This means we will be able to reach even more of our community members.”

Outreach is a key part of the mission of CBT, a high caliber, not-for-profit performing arts organization that has inspired thousands of students and patrons for over 26 years. CBT emphasizes pre-professional achievement, and it boasts of esteemed faculty members who are dedicated to helping each student reach his/her full potential. CBT also prides itself in providing enlightening growth opportunities for its students, while, at the same time, enhancing the cultural climate of the region. Dancers perform a vast repertoire of classical and neoclassical ballet as well as contemporary pieces in full-length and Children’s Series productions. CBT also serves and enriches the community through free performing arts programs for local schools, organizations, and underserved populations, as well as through tribute performances that raise public awareness for worthy causes.

“Arts Herndon appreciates all of the inspiring performances that Classical Ballet Theatre offers our community,” noted Michael O’Reilly, President of the Arts Herndon Board of Directors. “I am excited to see CBT’s growth, and I know that the Marjorie Mussman Studio Theater will be a wonderful complement to the Town of Herndon’s master arts plan.”

“Marjorie Mussman was a renowned teacher and founding member of the Joffrey Ballet, and we are honored to continue her legacy of Changing Lives through Dance,” reflected CBT Board Member Kathy Beyer. “We invite community members to partner with us in raising the $125,000 needed for the theater, and we thank Arts Herndon, the Arts Council of Fairfax County, and community leaders for their support over the years.”

Classical Ballet Theatre – Changing Lives through Dance
As Northern Virginia’s preeminent, not-for-profit training organization and performance company,
Classical Ballet Theatre has inspired thousands of students and patrons through its threefold mission
of education, performance, and outreach for over twenty-six years. For more information about
the Marjorie Mussman Studio Theater, please visit www.cbtnva.org.