Ballet Theatre of Maryland facts for kids

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland is a professional ballet company located in Annapolis, Maryland. It's the only professional ballet company in the state. The company performs many different ballets, from classic stories like The Nutcracker to new and exciting contemporary pieces.

The organization started in November 1978. It was first called The Ballet Theatre of Annapolis. Eddie Stewart was its first artistic director. In 1980, the company found a home at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis. By 1996, its dancers became full-time professionals. This meant they could focus completely on their ballet careers. In 2000, the name changed to Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Inc. (BTM). This new name showed its goal to serve the entire state of Maryland. Dianna Cuatto became the artistic director in 2003. Nicole Kelsch, who was a principal dancer and school principal for many years, became the artistic director for the 2020–2021 season.

Past and Upcoming Performances

Ballet Theatre of Maryland presents a variety of shows each year. These include beloved story ballets and modern dance pieces.

The 2024-2025 Season

The past 2024-2025 season featured several exciting performances:

• Napoli was performed from October 25-27, 2024.
• The Nutcracker was a holiday favorite, shown on November 24, 2024, and again from December 14-22, 2024.
• Ground and Sky was presented on February 2, 2025.
• Momentum: A Mixed Bill showcased various dance styles on March 29, 2025.
• Swan Lake concluded the season, performed on April 25-26, 2025.

The 2025-2026 Season

The upcoming 2025-2026 season promises more amazing ballets:

• Giselle is scheduled for October 17-19, 2025.
• The Nutcracker will return for the holidays, from December 13-21, 2025.
• Momentum: A Mixed Bill is planned for February 13-14, 2026.
• La Esmeralda will be performed on April 24-25, 2026.

Meet the Dancers

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland has many talented dancers. These artists work hard to bring beautiful performances to the stage.

Principal Dancers

Principal dancers are the lead performers in a ballet company. They often dance the main roles in shows. As of August 2022, the principal dancers included:

• Lindsey Bell
• Emily Carey
• Alexander Collen
• Karissa Kralik
• Lauren Martinez
• Ryan Massey

Soloist Dancers

Soloists are also very important dancers. They perform solo parts or lead smaller groups in ballets. As of August 2022, the soloists included:

• Aaron Bauer
• River Byrd
• Cindy Case
• Isaac Martinez
• Victoria Siracusa
• Michael West Jr.

Ballet Theatre of Maryland's School

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland also has a school. It is called BTM's School of Classical and Contemporary Dance. It was founded in 1978. This school is special because it offers a full ballet training program. Students can start as beginners and train to become pre-professional dancers. Classes are available in Annapolis and Grasonville, Maryland.

The teachers at the school are professionals. They train students using a special method based on how the body moves. They teach different ballet styles. These styles come from famous schools like the American Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, Connecticut Ballet Theatre, Richmond Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet.