Gwinnett Ballet Theatre facts for kids
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre (GBT) is a special dance group and school located in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia. It's near the big city of Atlanta. GBT is a nonprofit organization, which means it uses any money it earns to help its mission, not to make a profit for owners.
GBT was the very first and oldest performing arts group in Gwinnett County. It started way back in 1977. Since then, it has been a place where people can learn to dance. It also helps dancers who want to become professionals.
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About Gwinnett Ballet Theatre
What GBT Does
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre has two main goals. First, it's a school where students learn many types of dance. They get training that can help them become professional dancers. Second, GBT is a performing company. This means its dancers put on amazing shows for audiences.
Who Leads GBT?
The person in charge of the artistic side of GBT is Wade Walthall. He is the artistic director. The music director and conductor is Predrag Gosta. The person who first started GBT was Lynne Snipes. Lisa Sheppard Robson also led the artistic direction from 1997 to 2011.
Famous Ballet Performances
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre is known for putting on many wonderful ballet shows. These performances bring classic stories and new ideas to life on stage.
Classic Ballets You Might Know
GBT often performs famous ballets that many people love. These include:
- The Nutcracker: A popular ballet often performed around the holidays.
- Alice in Wonderland: Based on the classic story of Alice's adventures.
- Stravinsky's The Firebird: A magical story with beautiful music.
- Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream: Inspired by Shakespeare's play.
- Cinderella: The well-known fairy tale brought to life through dance.
- Giselle: A romantic ballet about love and betrayal.
Original Shows by GBT
GBT also creates its own unique ballets. These shows often tell new stories or present familiar themes in a fresh way. Some of these original productions include:
- Journey - an original ballet by Wade Walthall: A special show created by the artistic director.
- Bits and Pieces: A collection of different dance pieces.
- Disney...Songs and Pictures: A show featuring beloved Disney music.
- Friends and Famous Dances: A performance celebrating friendship and well-known dances.
