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Pointes of Interest 1 Pointes of InterestExecutive Director Tracy Dorman Retireswest hartford’s premier ballet CompanyNewsletter | Season 24Stephanie Dattellas, Artistic DirectorTracy Dorman, Ballet Theatre Company’s co-founder and Executive Director, retired in August. Her countless contributions and steadfast service to the Company have built BTC into the community asset that it is today.We celebrate the leadership that Tracy, known as “Ms. Tracy’ by thousands of students, has provided over the last seventeen years as the Executive Director. She will leave behind a legacy of leadership and advocacy that has had a signicant impact on the lives of countless young ballet dancers and professional dancers alike. Tracy Dorman has been with Ballet Theatre Company since its inception in 1999 and was appointed Executive Director in February 2005. She is a founding member of the Board of Directors and played a major role in the Company’s artistic and organizational development.Tracy is well known for her nearly six decades of experience in costuming theater and dance productions. Mostly self-taught, her rst costuming project was Snow White for a children’s theater company while she was still in high school. For the rst ve years of Ballet Theatre Company, she was the sole designer and costumer for all of the company’s performances, working with only a small crew of volunteers.For the past 21 years, Tracy has contributed to Ballet Theatre Company’s costume repertoire with her extraordinary designs. From alterations to creating tutus from scratch, her costumes radiate on stage season after season. When asked how many costumes she has created for BTC, Tracy replied, “Too many to count - literally hundreds.”Tracy is a 2014 honoree of the CT Dance Alliance Award for distinguished achievement in dance. In 2005, the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism awarded her the Distinguished Advocacy Award for her longtime volunteerism in the arts. You may also know that Tracy Dorman is an accomplished photographer through the professional images she has provided for BTC’s marketing over the years, but did you know that she is also a world traveler, and dog lover? Tracy has visited every continent, always bringing her trusty camera because as much as she enjoys photographing dance, she also loves photographing wildlife. Tracy has photographed an African safari, the Galapagos Islands, and Brown bears in Katmai, Alaska. During one of her tours to see polar bears, she was enchanted by Harp seals in the gulf of Saint Lawrence. Her travels had also taken her to photograph birds in Costa Rica and the Pantanal of Brazil!Even though Tracy has stepped down as the Executive Director, in her spare time she will continue to assist with costuming for BTC’s productions. These days, Tracy is kept busy by her new canine, an Airedale and Shepard mix named Marley (like the ballet ooring). “We have been exceptionally proud and fortunate to have a person of Tracy’s caliber, possessed with such passion for ballet, commitment to the organization, and a true skill in costume-making,” says BTC Chair, Eric Brummitt. “During her time with BTC, Tracy was the kind of collaborator you always hope to work with. She’s done transformational work in growing BTC into this rich community, and she leaves an enormous legacy for us to carry forward.” In the upcoming Season 24, BTC will launch a student scholarship fund in Tracy Dorman’s honor to support the long-term dreams of young ballet dancers.The Board of Directors is taking careful steps to ensure a smooth and successful transition. The Board and staff thank Tracy for all the commitment and support that she has given to BTC over the years. THANK YOU! Tracy dormanTracy Dorman amidst a sea of dancers in tutus, many of them her designs for BTC’s 2018 production of Cinderella | Photo: Thomas Giroir
THE SCHOOL OF BALLET THEATRE COMPANY (SBTC)Enrolling Children and Adults all year longThrough SBTC, dreams of becoming ballet dancers transform into the reality of main stage debuts. SBTC’s carefully constructed curriculum emphasizes strong technique, proper alignment, musicality, and expression. Its program focuses on developing its students’ technique and artistry through a faculty of distinguished professionals. SBTC’s goal is to meet the needs of its students, both those seeking to pursue dance professionally and those with other career aspirations.SBTC students share a facility with the professional company, enriching each student’s experience by allowing them to observe dancers in classes, rehearsals, and performances. SBTC prides itself on allowing students the chance to perform in two main-stage performances with the Company Dancers in Residence and national guest artists. Learn more at dancebtc.org/about-sbtc.school and community Photo: Thomas Giroircommunity engagementA Sensory-Friendly Ballet!Ballet Theatre Company’s dynamic Community Enrichment Program (CEP) is committed to making the art of dance available and accessible to all. As such, one performance of our fall production The Nutcracker and our spring production Cinderella will be modied to be sensory-friendly.The sensory-friendly performances of each show will provide a safe, judgment-free environment for those who have sensory or any other types of challenges that may make them feel uncomfortable at a “typical” performance. Music and on stage sounds will be lowered, low level lighting will be maintained for the audience and adjustments to the production will be made to ensure everyone’s comfort.BTC is working with its long-time partner, The Miracle League of Connecticut, to provide the best experience for all attendees. The Sensory-Friendly Ballet will be offered for both BTC’s mainstage performances: The Nutcracker on Sunday, November 27 at 11 am and Cinderella on Sunday, April 30 at 11am. Get your tickets at bushnell.org/shows-concerts.If any ballet or program moves you to be involved as a partner or a nancial sponsor, please email giving@dancebtc.org.Derek Brockington and Emily Silva, The Nutcracker 2021 | Photo: Thomas GiroirBeat the crowd - Scan the code for tickets now!2 pointes of interestDECEMBER 4, 2022 1pm-5pm Fun for the whole family! • Games & Contests • Prizes • Allergy-Friendly Concessions • Meet and greet characters from The Nutcracker
performances Pointes of Interest 3 Kick off the performance season with the intimate performance, Up Close: Fall in the state-of-the-art Compton Studio of West Hartford. Audience members are seated “up close” to the dancers, exposing a more intimate perspective of the performing arts. BTC company dancers and Junior Corps de Ballet will entrance audiences as they perform two World Premieres by Calvin Bittner and Stephanie Dattellas.BTC’s beloved The Nutcracker is making its dazzling return to The Bushnell’s Belding Theater. This year, audiences will experience a delicious, brand new Second Act, complete with new costumes and choreography. World-renowned ballet dancer, Lauren Lovette, is returning to BTC’s The Nutcracker to perform the coveted role of the Sugar Plum Fairy.Date night! Join us to celebrate Valentine’s day early. BTC dancers recreate select scenes from classic Hollywood lms famously danced by Fred Astaire, Patrick Swayze, and Rita Hayward. Star quality cocktails complete the night. Glamorous attire encouraged! the nutcrackernovember 26 & 27, 2022the bushnell’s belding theaterA sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker will be presented on November 27 at 11 am Tickets: bushnell.org/shows-concertsUp Close: falloctober 1 & 2, 2022The ron & nancy compton studioTicketing special! Purchase both Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Up Close tickets in the same transaction and save $10 per setone night in hollywoodFebruary 11, 2023west hartford town hallOne Night Only!SCAN THE CODE to purchase tickets >>> Photos: Thomas Giroir | Illustrations: Soa Brummitt
performances 4 Pointes of InterestThe second of Ballet Theatre Company’s intimate, mixed-repertoire performances will be presented in the state-of-the-art Ron and Nancy Compton Studio at its 20 Jefferson Avenue home. In-person and video on-demand tickets are available. Repertoire will include Paul Mejia’s Brahm’s Waltzes staged by Maria Terezia Balogh.This spring, Ballet Theatre Company is thrilled to bring back Stephanie Dattellas’ original rendition of the beloved story ballet, Cinderella, which premiered in 2018 at USJ’s Hoffman Auditorium to sold out audiences. The ballet features classical choreography woven together with theatrical and comedic elements crafted to keep audiences of all ages on the edge of their seats. The Ballet Soirée is an annual fundraising event with dinner, conversations with artistic staff, choreographers, and dancers, and a special performance by Ballet Theatre Company. This joyous philanthropic occasion will raise vital funds for the Company and its Community Enrichment programs.Up Close: Springmarch 4 & 5, 2023The ron & nancy compton studioTicketing special! Purchase both Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Up Close tickets in the same transaction and save $10 per setCinderellaApril 29 & 30, 2023The bushnell’s belding theaterA sensory-friendly performance of Cinderella will be presented on April 30 at 11 am Tickets: bushnell.org/shows-concertsballet soirÉejune 17, 2023Ballet Theatre Company will present the nal performance of the season at our season-ending gala. All proceeds benet BTC!SCAN THE CODE to purchase tickets >>> Photos: Thomas Giroir | Illustrations: Soa Brummitt
DECEMBER 4, 2022 1pm-5pm Pointes of Interest 5Ballet Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) not-for-prot organization BTC is supported in part by:20 Jefferson Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110 | 860-570-0440 | www.dancebtc.org season sponsorsThe Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable TrustWe also say farewell to Board Directors Jess Capone, Michele Andrade, and Lauren Milardo who served BTC for many years. Thank you, all!company dancersStephanie Dattellas Artistic & Managing DirectorNicoletta ConsalesSchool AdministratorLaurel HoskinsGraphic DesignerEmily SilvaRehearsal DirectorPat NurnbergerCostume DesignerJames Felton IISocial MediaMaria Terezia BaloghArtistic AdvisorPaul MejiaArtistic AdvisorVictoria JaensonCommunity EngagementBrianna DunlapDevelopment Directorboard of directorsDr. Eric Brummit, Board ChairBarbara Larain, Vice ChairDirectorsDrew AngeloTracy DormanKim EckartEric GalmDan HitchellAlexa Berk KingJane OwenEmeritus DirectorsDoug EicherKama GiedraLisa Greene Jo-ann BurkeGennaro Della RagioneJames Felton IIVictoria JaensonNaomi LangillEmily SilvaNicoletta Consales (Apprentice)Ali Nitowski (Apprentice)Kerry Shannon (Apprentice)To learn more about BTC’s Company Dancers, please visit www.dancebtc.orgBTC Company Dancers in Serenade in A choreographed by Paul Mejia, Up Close: Spring 2022 | Photos: Thomas Giroir meet the ballet Newsletter: Laurel Graphic DesignLLaaururGraphic DesignThe Robert & Margaret PATRICELLI Family Foundation
Non-Prot Org.U.S. Postage PAIDHartford, CTPermit #19620 Jefferson AvenueWest Hartford, CT 0611020 Jefferson Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110 | 860-570-0440 | www.dancebtc.org Ballet Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) not for prot organizationDid you know that ticket sales don’t fully fund all of BTC’s incredible work? We aim to keep ticket prices affordable, so we rely on patrons like you to ensure that all aspects of our mission are fullled.YOU can make a difference! Help ensure that our non-prot can provide new and traditional ballets to the public for years to come.Your annual contribution of $100 or more makes you a member of the Encore Society. Members receive exclusive benets that can include early ticket access and open rehearsals. Join or renew today to make the best of your benets this season and support the ballet! Scan the code at right, visit dancebtc.org/encore-society, or use the enclosed remittance envelope to send your gift today. Questions? Please contact Brianna Dunlap at giving@dancebtc.org.become a member of the balletBTC Company Dancer Noami Langill, The Nutcracker 2021 | Photo: Thomas Giroir